URMSTON business owners suffered a blow this week after burglars carried out an early morning raid on their beloved cafe – but they are determined to dust themselves off and carry on.

Burglars broke into the Hideaway, in Church Road, before dawn on Monday October 17.

They used a large gas canister to smash through the door of the cafe and kicked in the internal locked doors. They fled with money, equipment and stock.

The Hideaway is a thriving business run by Jo and Zoe Hill and is just about to celebrate its second birthday.

“The effect on the business has been profound because we are small and every penny counts – it pays the bills and staff wages and we may not get back what we have lost,” said Jo.

“People think when you own a business that you have lots of money but we have not. There is no backup savings, we just have to keep going and try and replace the loss.”

The shop had to close on Monday while police officers dusted the cafe for prints and Jo and Zoe had to scramble to replace the equipment and stock stolen, shutting the shop for a second day.

The incident has been very upsetting for the duo but the outpouring of support from the community has provided some comfort.

Jo said: “The reaction from all of our wonderful and loyal customers has been heart-warming and uplifting but there was great sadness at not being able to have our wonderful homemade food on Monday. People really do care and have been genuinely upset for us. We have received lots of support in person, both at the cafe on Monday and when we have been out and about in Urmston, and many lovely, caring comments on social media.”

And Jo has a message for the people responsible.

“They will never understand how we feel because if they did, they would not have done it,” she said.

“The money may be for drugs etc, I don’t know, but we are a small community cafe who employs and gives people the chance of a job – it’s a shame that whoever you are, you can’t see working hard as a better way of life.

“We should be a community, all helping each other, not stealing from each other. But you will not get us down, we will be back open for business on Wednesday as usual.”

Police are investigating the burglary and anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting the crime number 194113E/16.