“It’s hit us at the worst possible time” - Staff devastated after Ipswich shop hit by car

Mrs Miller was unaware of the damage at the shop until arriving for work this morning, having spotted police officers on the road on her way in.

“I was at the traffic lights and I just saw them talking. I thought there was probably a disturbance.”

After entering the shop from the rear of the building it soon became clear that more damage had been done to her property.

The impact of the car hitting the building smashed the front windows of the property: spraying glass into the shop floor and damaging the window frames themselves.

The vehicle collided with the Dance Vibe shopfront, smashing the display window Picture: KATY SANDALLS (Image: KATY SANDALLS)

Inside a radiator was thrown from the wall and much of the stock situated close to the window will have to be removed because of the amount of glass.

“It’s hit us at the worst possible time in September” said Mrs Miller, “That’s when people go back to dance classes.

“This is our best time. It is going to hit us hard.”

Mrs Miller said that other local dance shops in the area had been struggling to compete against internet rivals.

Karen Miller from Dance Vibe Picture: KATY SANDALLS (Image: Archant)

She added that it wasn’t clear when the shop would be re-opening fully because of the level of damage caused to the windows.

Any customers who had placed orders with the shop should still get in touch with Mrs Miller and arrange to pick up their orders: “Phone up and I will be able to help,” said Mrs Miller.