Targeted trader wants community support
A DETERMINED Ipswich trader whose store was recently targeted by ram-raiders today urged customers to support his business.
By JOSH WARWICK
josh.warwick@eveningstar.co.uk>
A DETERMINED Ipswich trader whose store was recently targeted by ram-raiders today urged customers to support his business.
Ruben Murugaiyah, manager of the Spar on Reynolds Road, claimed that trade had been slow since the incident, but hoped residents would return to the store.
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The Spar was hit at around 3am on February 2, as ram-raiders flattened the shop front before ripping out the cash machine.
Mr Murugaiyah was left with a scene of devastation - and the scars of the raid still remain today with chipboard blocking up the windows.
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He said: "We have cleared up a lot of the mess and have started trading again, but people are scared to come in.
"I'm sure some people think we are still closed as the place is still boarded up and there is just a small door in the side.
"But we are open and we need people to come and show their support."
The recent incident was not the first ram-raid in Reynolds Road. In November last year, the One-Stop Shop opposite the Spar was hit in similar fashion.
And there have been further problems in the road including an arson attack last October and a stand-off between unruly youths and police during the summer.
Mr Murugaiyah, who is originally from London, said he only took over managing the store a month ago, making this whole episode a major shock.
He added: "I had no idea about the problems with Reynolds Road until this happened. If you have a cash machine these people will go for it.
"There was more trouble earlier this week when someone broke the glass of a shop over the road."
However, despite this setback, Mr Murugaiyah said he is confident the shop's fortunes will improve.
He said: "We are doing our best to bring customers back, but we need the community to get behind us - we really need help from them.
"I have noticed a slight drop in trade but then we have only just got back in business.
"Hopefully the council will take notice and see they have to do something now."
