Break-ins piling pressure on firms, pub boss warns

2 hours ago

Sercurity cameras inside the bar captured images of a suspect

Station East Black-and-white CCTV image showing an intruder in the Station East pub. They are wearing a hoodie and have a mask covering their mouth and nose. They are looking directly into the camera. — Sercurity cameras inside the bar captured images of a suspect

A spate of burglaries has put further pressure on businesses already struggling amid a cost-of-living crisis, a pub chief has warned.

The Station East bar in Gateshead's Railways Quarter was targeted for the second time in six months earlier this week, with boss Shona Burrows saying "mindless damage" had forced a temporary closure while a clean-up operation was completed.

She said several other firms in the area had also been broken into recently which was hitting town centre regeneration efforts.

Northumbria Police said inquiries into the latest incident were ongoing, while Gateshead Council has been approached for comment.

The Railway Quarter has been the focus of recent local authority activity with the council billing it as an up-and-coming area home to a range of independent businesses.

New signage was added last year with other projects including a series of murals to mark the opening of an events space.

While Burrows praised those efforts, she described "constant" concerns around crime.

"The Railway Quarter branding has certainly helped create a bit of a buzz.

"But we just think 'when's next?' That's the sadness of it.

"Almost every business has been targeted - some, like ours, more than once."

The pub has been targeted by thieves twice in recent months

Station East The exterior of the Station East pub. The frontage is painted green, while its name is in gold. There are some tables and chairs on the pavement in front of the entrance and the building adjoins a railway arch. — The pub has been targeted by thieves twice in recent months

The theft of cash alongside a loss of trade while the pub was closed for a day added to existing pressures the pub was facing, Burrows said.

She said many customers were already cutting back on the amounts they spent, with firms also tackling higher operating costs through factors such as National Insurance contributions for staff.

"Hospitality is difficult because people have got less money," she said, adding: "Everyone's noticed a downturn.

"People might spend £15 a night instead of £20."

Burrows, who co-owns the pub as well as the Hadrian Border Brewery alongside her husband Andrew, called for police, the council and the court system to "work together" to cut crime.

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