A community food store was raided on the day it opened for business - just 24 hours before its ribbon was officially cut by Banstead’s MP.

Budgens, on Walton Street, in Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth, was targeted on Thursday, November 28, between 11pm and 11.30pm and alcohol from the store was stolen - the same day it opened for business.

But undamaged and undeterred, the store opened as usual the next day for a ceremony marking its official opening.

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Dan Rapson, store manager at Budgens, said the store was getting on with its business after the burglary

Dan Rapson, 32, store manager, said: "The burglary was very upsetting for myself and all of my colleagues here.

"But it did not dampen spirits for the official opening at all. In this sort of industry you can’t stand still, you have to move on. No one day is the same. 

"I’ll leave it down to the police. They have collected all the evidence.

"We don’t speak about it now.  We’re just getting on with our jobs."

Crispin Blunt MP cut the store’s ribbon and members of the local football, athletics and pony clubs all turned out on Saturday morning.

Mr Rapson said the store, which has received "100 per cent positive feedback from customers", will stock many local products - including eggs from a local chicken farm.

He added: "This area has not had anything like this establishment for a number of years. Rather than people having to go to other supermarkets out of the area, they can shop here which is really, really positive."

PC Helen Simon, investigating the burglary, said: "I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact officers with information, no matter how small or irrelevant you may feel this is.  It could prove vital to our investigation."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting reference 45130002532, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

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