'We won't be beaten' - Stourbridge couple who suffered break in at pub open up the next day
A Stourbridge couple who run a popular pub say they won't be beaten despite a break in at the weekend which will land them with more expense.
Dan and Amy Wilkes have run the Waggon and Horses on Worcester Street, Stourbridge, for 12 years, buying the pub last year and immediately facing a bill to repair the roof on the building.
That has already cost them £7,000. and they were devastated when thieves broke into the building on Sunday morning around 3am when Amy was upstairs with the couple's three young children.
The raiders broke a back door to the pub in making their entry and smashed open the till, as well as damaging the pub's security system.
Although they only got away with less than £200 from a float in the till, the damage to the security system, back door and a gate could cost more or they could see their insurance premiums go up.
Despite the trauma, Amy said they would be undeterred and opened up for regulars on Sunday - many have contributed to a go fund me for repairs to the roof.
Dan put out a plea for someone to repair the door frame and bolts and a workman was due to come in on Monday.
Amy said: "It is a tough time for all pubs at the moment and we could have done without this but it could have been worse.
"I heard the till going off when I was upstairs and phoned the staff who had been working on Saturday night to see if they had left it on but they hadn't.
"It was quite clear that someone was downstairs and I called the police who came round almost immediately - they were great and we had the forensics officers here as well. There was a watch left behind so they might be able to get something from that.
"But we are determined this won't stop us, we have been at the pub a long time and worked hard to try and make a success of it.
"We invested in it last year and spent money on the roof which is not finished yet. but which has been supported by the regulars for which we are grateful - we owe it to them to keep on going and this won't deter us."
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We’re investigating after a pub on Worcester Street, Stourbridge, was broken into shortly after 3.20am this morning (1 March).
"Money was stolen from the premises and our enquires into what happened are continuing.
"We would ask anyone with information that could help our officers to call 101, or use the Live Chat option on our website quoting incident number 459 of 1 March.
To help contribute to a crowdfunder for roof repairs go to here.
