Popular chip shop forced to close after cruel vandals repeatedly smash windows
A widower has been forced to close his beloved chippy as he claims police have allowed to area to become "lawless".
Andy Shute says cruel vandals repeatedly smash his takeaway's windows in broad daylight.
The 66-year-old opened Lou Lou's Plaice, in Chorley, Lancashire, last May but claims his small business started being targeted in January.
He claims the chip shop's windows have been broken three times in total in a matter of weeks.
Andy has slammed Lancashire Police for having "no real interest' in the incidents".
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His five staff will lose their jobs on Saturday, as he sees no way forward and faces forking out more than £600 for repairs.
Andy, from Chorley, Lancashire, said of taking over the shop: "I thought it was a good opportunity to open something and grow and develop my overall business.
Andy took over the chippy in May last year (Kennedy News and Media)"Suddenly to have to find £600 for the windows is a cost I can't afford. The reason I've held back on having the other two replaced is if it gets put through again, it's more money.
"The chippy's a small family business - but the family is just me. My wife died seven years ago and I don't have any children. It's just me.
"I feel very young at heart even at 66 and I've no desire to retire and sit around waiting for god.
"I'd rather keep myself busy and I've got the catering trailer which partly does it but that's seasonal.
"The sad part of all of this is I have five staff who will lose their jobs on Saturday, this is down to the vandals.
"Two of these incidents have happened in broad daylight. I genuinely do not know who has done this."
Andy, a fully qualified chef who also runs a catering trailer, claims he was alerted to the first attack by a message from a customer - but police didn't attend.
Andy claims his shop has been attacked three times since last month (Kennedy News and Media)
The repair costs are estimated at £600 (Kennedy News and Media)His chippy had already survived a fire in December caused by a fryer, which resulted in the business closing temporarily.
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Andy said: "I got to the chip shop [on January 7th] and there was glass everywhere. It was an absolute nightmare.
"I spoke to the police and they had no real interest in it other than recording the event.
"I said I had the brick but they said unless it was shining or dry they couldn't get fingerprints off it. I didn't even get a call out.
"Then about three weeks ago, I had a brick put through the top of my doors. It's got two glass panels on it.
"I got a message on Facebook from someone saying 'Andy, I'm outside your shop. I'm calling the police, there's been a brick put through your window'.
"He was good enough to call the police. I turned up as I was on my way back in for the afternoon opening.
Andy can't afford to fork out for the repairs (Kennedy News and Media)"I actually said to the police I spoke to on Monday 'seriously, this town is lawless'. On my side [of town] we seem unpoliced.
"I said after the second occasion on Facebook that if this was to occur again, I would shut up shop.
"Then on Monday, I get another call to say another window has been put in and for me, enough is enough.
"On no occasion has anyone tried to enter the premises. They've simply lobbed a brick through the window, it's just mindless vandalism."
The business owner has been forced to fork out for repairs on his windows and door and claims his confidence in Lancashire Police has been shattered.
Andy said: "I'm going to make a formal complaint to the police and crime commissioner on this. I've been here since May 4 and never seen an officer on the beat.
"I don't have the confidence in Chorley Police to police the area.
"Like many businesses when you take them on, you're not making a profit for some time. While I'm not losing money, I still haven't drawn a penny in wages out of the business.
"I've ordered two panes of glass already for the two that have already been done. I suspect it's going to cost £500 to £600."
After posting about Lou Lou's Plaice's imminent closure, Andy was inundated with comments of support.
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the incidents that have taken place at Lou Lou's Plaice, on Lyons Lane in Chorley, where three separate reports of criminal damage were made to us between January 7 2023 and 20 February 2023, and are currently under investigation.
"An officer has made contact with the business owner yesterday (21 February), and enquiries into the damage are ongoing.
"Chorley police are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and keeping residents safe, and feeling so. We are working with a number of partners including the local council, Inspire, social services and local business, including Trading Standards to stamp out ASB in Chorley.
"A large proportion of the area has also been signed up to Lancashire Talking, where residents can sign up to receive email updates on what matters most to them, as well as tell us about concerns in their area."
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