TOWN centre businesses are down thousands of pounds after being blighted by break-ins and power cuts.

Three men were disturbed at No10 Museum Street in Colchester after they had smashed the café’s exterior on Monday evening, less than a week after Mamma Mia restaurant was targeted.

The week before, on December 8, three men smashed their way into Rocks and Rubies giftware on the same morning as More Sports, in Queen Street, which has now been broken into twice.

Traders say they are at their wits’ end having also suffered several power cuts since November which forced customers out.

Gazette:

Phil Cassettari inside his closed cafe

Phil Cassettari, who opened No10 Museum Street three months ago, has lost trade on four consecutive days and an estimated £2,000.

He said: “I feel like packing up and going home. I’m trying to build a little business here and keep getting setbacks.”

The alarm sounding scared off thieves at Mamma Mia’s last Thursday at about 5am, but they had already broken a window.

It was paving slabs from outside the restaurant that men had tried to use to break into Rocks and Rubies giftware before kicking the door open.

They ripped the till away, which had about £25 in coins inside, and including the front door, have caused in excess of £500 worth of damage.

Gazette:

Robert Johnson standing in the shop entrance

Owner Robert Johnson, of Coggeshall, whose not yet had a police statement taken from him, says the group were “in and out in 90 seconds”.

He said: “My mum, who opened the shop that morning, now isn’t comfortable been here after dark.

“It’s really impacted on her. Plus it’s getting dark early, there’s no real lighting down this alley and because of Christmas we’ll probably stay open a little later.”

Although this is the first burglary Robert has experienced in his two years of business, he wants a greater alliance between independent traders and police.

He claimed anti-social behaviour is “rife” in the town centre which, he says, is particularly affecting Museum Street.

Gazette:

Phil Cassettari and Robert Johnson

He said: “People say the High Street is dying but incidents like this are having a real impact.

“It’s a tough game as it is let alone having power cuts and break-ins. It’s going to have a knock-on effect.”

Power was restored to affected businesses and homes last night.

Mr Johnson says he does not expect the traders will be compensated for their losses.