The managing director of a shoe company was today planning legal action against Basildon Council after his shop windows were smashed four times in just a week.
The Shoeworld store in Market Pavement has been the target of mindless vandalism since April, and Mike Luff believes those responsible are picking up concrete slabs from the building site opposite, and hurling them at the store.
He claims Basildon Council should be responsible for clearing up the site, and is currently in talks with his solicitors about suing the authority for alleged negligence.
Angry - store manager Brian Jones surveys one of the bouts of damage
He said:"This needs to stop. It is costing us well over £1,000 each time our windows are smashed, and I am sure the insurers will keep rejecting our claims."
A spokesman for Basildon council, said: "The building site in Market Pavement is nothing to do with us. It is not our responsibility."
Jim Furnival, General Manager of Town Centre Management, said: "The building site is a compound for contractors carrying out pavement repairs in that area to store their materials.
"While the work is going on, it has got to be kept somewhere. In three weeks time it will all be gone."
Published Tuesday August 20, 2002
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