Community rises in support after bakery break-in

The owner of a new Jamaican bakery in Nottingham has described a break-in, which took place a week after opening, as feeling like "a punch in the stomach".

Jowayne Marks and his Yello Yard co-founder Mahalia Chambers made the decision to take on a brick-and-mortar store after five years of running a mobile business.

However, a window at their new premises at Sneinton Market was smashed and power tools taken just hours ahead of opening for their second weekend.

Marks said it was "super devastating" after the euphoria of getting the business up and running but added the support from the public and other independent businesses had been "amazing".

The shop, which specialises in Jamaican cuisine, opened to customers on 9 April and Marks said the first week had gone so well he had felt "euphoric".

But when he and Chambers locked up at 23:00 BST on April 17 and returned at 06.00 the following day, they discovered the burglary.

Marks said when he saw the 50cm hole smashed through a window he felt "violated".

"You don't expect something like that to happen only a week in," he said.

"I felt devastated because we'd put so much time and effort into getting the space up to spec.

"After having customers queuing out the door in the first week it was just so demoralising."

Nottinghamshire Police said it was investigating and had recovered CCTV footage.

Marks and Chambers had previously run the eatery as a "pop-up" to enable them to market test the business and because they had reservations over the economics of taking on a bricks and mortar store.

"We'd been hearing about lots of independent businesses shutting down on a daily basis, the cost of living, and people's pockets being tighter," Marks said.

"But when this space became available to rent it felt like a no-brainer."

The Avenues at Sneinton Market were built in the 1930s to house wholesalers.

It fell into disrepair but was restored in 2014 after investment from the European Regional Development Fund.

It now hosts a range of independent businesses and artists, which Marks describes as a "strong support hub" for Yello Yard.

"We've done pop-ups here before and always enjoyed how this area of small independents carries themselves," he said.

"They look out for each other and we wanted to be part of that".

He said since the break-in fellow traders helped to get the bakery boarded up straight away to allow them to open as normal.

"When these kinds of crimes are reported, usually not a lot comes out of it other than a crime reference number," he said.

"I understand police resources are finite, but if more protection can be given to support small businesses, that would be great."

Nottinghamshire Police said it did not underestimate the impact break-ins like this could have on businesses.

The Sneinton Market Avenues Tenants' Association said it was disappointing and a reminder that stealing from small businesses is not a victimless crime as it hits individuals financially and emotionally.

Marks has been told the city council, which owns the units, will replace the broken window.

In the meantime, he said it had served as a reminder to stay vigilant, especially when business is going well.

"If I hadn't have left that power tool on a table the opportunistic break-in may not have happened," he said.

"I think it's a constant reminder that no matter how well your day's gone you should always do your due diligence."

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