‘There was glass everywhere, wine everywhere, the floor was sticky and filled with glass’
An independently run Croydon wine and cheese shop has been devastated after burglars broke in, stole wine and caused thousands of pounds in damage. Yet despite the vandalism, owners Gareth and Justina have been overwhelmed with the support from the community rallying around them in the wake of the incident.
Gareth Main, 42, and Justina Budd, 41, owners of Little Mouse, in South Norwood, were devastated after finding their Selhurst Road store pillaged on the morning of Thursday (July 16) after receiving a phone call from their neighbour that three men had kicked in one of their windows to steal wine, they said: “We got a phone call from one of our neighbours at 4.45am, that three men were in the building.
“From what we have gathered so far, they targeted our store, they came in, they tried to get in through the window, and they kicked in the frame. Then went in and stole loads of wine, smashed loads in the process.
“It was ultimately when we got down there, just after 5am yesterday morning, that there was glass everywhere, wine everywhere; the floor was sticky with glass, footprints, and whatnot. We had to wait a couple of hours for the police to come down and do their job. We don’t take cash, and the street value of the wine is very low, but the costs to us are huge.”
In addition to the disruption the burglary caused the owners, Gareth and Justina, explained that this incident couldn’t have come at a more difficult time for the business.
They added: “We have no backers, we are independently run, we are self-funded. It’s really hard in July; it’s a tough time for this to happen, cheese is very seasonal as it happens, our busiest time is Christmas.
“We couldn’t be further away from that cash flow, and our tax bills are coming out soon as well, so it’s been a really inopportune time for this to happen. The support has been phenomenal.
“We started Little Mouse because we live in South Norwood, and we wanted our business in South Norwood. What has happened has made us realise that people want this here as well.
“People described how shocked they are at this, I know it is our business but people feel a sense of ownership over this place, it was the community aspect of it. I think they feel that an attack on this shop is an attack on this community. Cheese isn’t just for Christmas.”
After the burglary, Little Mouse received overwhelming support from the community, with their store busier than ever the day after the incident, which the owners say has helped them through it.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “A report of a burglary at a business premises on Selhurst Road, Croydon, has been received. The incident is said to have occurred overnight between Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 16.
“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD1775/16JUL26.”
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