Hastings shop owner forced to shut after burglary

A shop owner has lost everything after burglars ransacked his business.
Nicholas Scutt outside Nick's Retro Collectables and Antiques. SUS-160426-143102001Nicholas Scutt outside Nick's Retro Collectables and Antiques. SUS-160426-143102001
Nicholas Scutt outside Nick's Retro Collectables and Antiques. SUS-160426-143102001

Nicholas Scutt, owner of Nick’s Retro Collectables and Antiques, in Cambridge Road, said he was ‘totally devastated’ following the break-in, where thousands of pounds worth of goods were taken.

His shop had only been open for seven months.

Nicholas said: “Some stuff I had had sentimental value. I decided to set up the business to try and make a living for myself using an inheritance from my uncle.

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“I only opened on September 1 last year. I stocked vintage and antique items dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

“The burglars even used an ornamental greyhound statue as a battering ram to try and get upstairs. Both its legs were broken off.”

He told the Observer the thieves stole his laptop, a red vintage suitcase, and a silver salt and pepper set dating from Victorian times.

Damage was also caused to furniture inside the shop, including a glass cabinet.

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Nicholas added: “I’m totally devastated about losing everything I had in the shop

“Every single week I was open I was losing money and covering everything with the inheritance.

“But it’s lucky no one was in the building when the burglars struck so no one was hurt.

“One can easily start again and I’ve already been offered a little space on the seafront to get back on my feet.”

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Nicholas reported the break-in to police when he arrived to open up for business.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “On Friday, April 8, police attended a multi-storey business premises in Cambridge Road, Hastings, following a report of a break-in overnight.

“A business owner arrived at the site at 8.50am to discover the communal door to the building had been damaged and access gained.

“A number of rooms appear to have been searched, and items including a laptop, a red suitcase and a silver salt and pepper set with spoons are reported to have been stolen.

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“The incident is believed to have occurred sometime between 3.40pm on April 7 and 8.50am on April 8.”

Anyone with any information about the burglary is asked to contact Sussex Police by email at [email protected] or alternatively call police on 101, quoting serial 290 of 08/04.

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