A break-in at an antiques shop near Daventry has had a significant impact on the business, according to its owner. High-value items were stolen from Lock House Antiques at Whilton Locks Garden Village near Daventry on January 3rd after the door was smashed at around 10:00 PM GMT. The damage has left the business facing repair costs of about £500 to board up the door and fix smashed cabinets. Beth Walton, the owner of the business, said: "[The break-in has had] a huge impact. The clean-up process has put us back a couple of days behind trading because we couldn't open." The shop has been trading for almost three years and has a sister site in Badby, Northamptonshire. After being alerted to the break-in, the owners spent the night at the site in temperatures of about -5C (23F) because the damaged door could not be secured until the morning. Since the incident, staff say they are being more vigilant and are "watching everyone" to spot any signs of people looking for valuables. Walton added: "They knew what they were doing. They'd obviously been in, scouted around and knew exactly where to go because they were in and out within a couple of minutes." Northamptonshire Police said two men dressed in black smashed the shop's door and a cabinet before fleeing. This incident has highlighted the vulnerability of small businesses to such crimes, and the impact they can have on the community. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures and the need for increased vigilance in the area. Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? The impact of this break-in extends beyond the financial damage, as it has also affected the day-to-day operations of the business and the safety of its staff. It is crucial for small businesses like Lock House Antiques to take proactive measures to protect themselves from such incidents and to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
