Yobs force sweet shop to shut
The owners of an old-fashioned sweet shop in the Black Country today revealed they are selling their beloved business after vandals struck for the third time in weeks.
The owners of an old-fashioned sweet shop in the Black Country today revealed they are selling their beloved business after vandals struck for the third time in weeks.
Husband and wife John and Anita Pinches said they could not sleep at night with worry over their shop Sweet Tooth in Wolverhampton.
The quaint store based in Tettenhall Road, Newbridge, sells traditional treats such as barley sugars, pear drops and rhubarb and custards. However, it has been targeted three times since November by yobs.
In the latest attack in the early hours of Saturday, large stones were hurled at the front door – causing hundreds of pounds of damage – less than 24 hours after security cameras had been installed at the premises.
Heartbroken Mrs Pinches, 39, of Bilbrook, said today: "We've been here for three years but I can't take it any more. I find myself up at 2am sick with worry.
"It's a shame to see those responsible win but we're going to sell up now.
"We'd like to thank our customers because they are so loyal and come from miles around but physically I can't cope any more," she said.
Mr Pinches, aged 41, said they would have to shell out around £600 for a new door.
Mrs Pinches added: "I don't understand why they are targeting us. It's not like we're selling jewellery or plasma-screen TVs.
"Ideally, I'd like to sell to someone who is willing to keep it as a sweet shop.
"This happened the day after we installed cameras but we hadn't set up all the timers, so they switched off at 2am," he added.
The first attack in November saw £600 of glass smashed and sweets stolen. Two men were arrested following the second attack a few days before Christmas, in which thieves smashed through the door and tried to steal the till.
The Pinches are planning to sell their sweets from a mobile trailer and have been asked to attend events organised by National Trust and English Heritage.
Customer Mary Hayward, aged 50, of Whitmore Reans, said: "This is such a unique shop, it's like something you would see in the Black Country Museum."