one of those "why bother" days again

[MadcatwomanEnterprises]

Thanks, guys.

I didn't get much sleep last night, not surprising really, and I've been up since half past four this morning just worrying.

I will give the local PCSOs a try, see what they suggest.

I liked the cctv option, unfortunately the buggers would probably rob me just to get their hands on that.

<<Take their pictures and post them around the town.

With :

Wanted~ do these belong to anyone?
Reward if claimed~>>

lol. Tempting thought, but their parents would probably sue me for invading their privacy and breaching their human rights or something.

I'll definitely have a look at Crimestoppers, see what their site says.

I've already started closing the shop at 4pm on Saturday instead of 5.30pm, because the problems get much worse after that time on Saturdays; the other shopkeepers know this and so they always close early on Saturdays too, which was leaving me pretty much on my own when I did open until 5.30. The shops are right next to the interchange, so even if I yelled for help if someone had me trapped in the shop (as happened a few weeks ago), they wouldn't hear me over the sound of the buses in the interchange most of the time because it is deafening.

As for the business rates, I did consider the Citizens Advice, except the only hours they are open are hours the shop is open so I would have to close the shop and lose money just to get advice on how to avoid - erm - losing money due to potential court fees. Sigh. They have a telephone advice line at the CAB, but over the 22 years I have lived here, I have never yet been able to get an answer from it, it always says they are busy, please call later, and hangs up. Eventually, I have always had to give in trying to contact them as it has just been a waste of time and effort because no one ever answers the calls. There are just too many people needing advice for them to be able to handle it all.

[Spyder1942]

Welcome to new labours Britian.Hope you get things sorted.Could it be that protection will be offered next at a price.

[buttons-and-bows]

I know exactly what you mean, we had a lovely little shop untill they started to put halfway houses in the area, our trade went down as people would not come up the road anymore because of gangs of yobs, and we could no longer have displays outside because they threw them everywhere, we had to close after being there since 85. And sometimes the internet isn't much better. don't let it get you to the point of thinking there isn't anything to get up for because thats how it got me and I still haven't recovered, Oh and no one helps by the way so don't waste your time your left to deal with the shoit yourself.

[cornishmaid1961]

What a dreadful experience. I know in one of the streets in Bath, where there are small artizan type shops, the shopkeepers have formed a trader's association and get together for promotional ideas for the whole street.

Would it be possible to do something similar with the other shop keepers around you but with security being the issue? Maybe everybody could chip in to hire a security guard? I know it's an added expense but it's better than risking your life and if there were enough of you it would bring the cost down. Hopefully if there was less trouble in the area it would pay for itself as trade would be better.

[Teddyrose54]

Would it be possible to do something similar with the other shop keepers around you but with security being the issue? Maybe everybody could chip in to hire a security guard?

That sounds like the best idea.

[playtowin]

i read that a co-op in Cove played classical music to drive the teens away..and it worked..

my local bus station is the same in the evenings- works too

[Huddylion]

Absolutely gobsmacked about what is happening to you,if I was fit enough i'd come down the road and help you out with the scum.
I think the idea about the shop keepers clubbing in with each other is a good one if viable??.
Other than that I just don't know what to say, really feel for you xx

[11thEagle]

I would suggest
1) look at joining a local business forum, if nothing else you should get more business contacts and be able to chat to them about how they handle similar plebs. At best a forum would hold more sway than a single shopkeeper.
2) Speak to your local police station and see what they suggest
3) get a bloody emergency alarm put in linked directly to the police station (might be available through your current alarm company) in the mean time get a rape alarm as they are much louder than you shouting for help.
4) CCTV you can pick up cheap kits at Argos nowerdays even if it runs on videos or DVD's you will only need 1 facing the door (with maybe a 2nd facing the counter) to get a good picture of someones face as they come in.
5) make a log of everything that happens, if the council/ police do nothing go to the papers
6) if possible don't work alone

I know a some of these mean more investment but any investment in your security is well spent.

added
a) keep a small float in the till and put any extra money in a safe
b) make sure you have good lines of site through the shop (isles perpendicular to the till rather than parralell) and make shelfs no higher than chest height (if people can see you they know you can see them)

[shezz]

I know exactly what you mean, we had a lovely little shop untill they started to put halfway houses in the area, our trade went down as people would not come up the road anymore because of gangs of yobs, and we could no longer have displays outside because they threw them everywhere, we had to close after being there since 85. And sometimes the internet isn't much better. don't let it get you to the point of thinking there isn't anything to get up for because thats how it got me and I still haven't recovered, Oh and no one helps by the way so don't waste your time your left to deal with the shoit yourself.

I've seen it time and time again, years ago i was manager of a video store in Chadwell St Marys, a very unreptable(spelling) place to be, kids constantly hanging around causing trouble, drinking, fighting, the police were constantly being called, to this parade of shops, and as all the shops (except 1) were open to 10pm, the parade consisted of a chippy, off licence, the video shop and the garage


Iit was a paradise for the kids and the local meeting point, they seem to take a dislike to the owners daughter who worked their some nights so she use to get the brunt of the trouble, when i worked there my boys sometimes use to come down and sit and watch a video so i was'nt on my own much.

in the end the owner had to just walk away from it, paid the rent tho till the lease run out, no choice was costing more to stay open

[buttons-and-bows]

I was so relieved to get out shezz, they even put my windows through at 11.30 at night. all of them including the great big one. It cost me to close because of the lease and I ended up giving most of the stuff away on freecycle and to theatre groups. Got a load of Fabric to go yet. all that money wasted because of yobs.
They even peed through the letter box while we were in side, I told Mike to grab it and pull but he didnt want his hands infecting with god knows whatever.