West Pier Newsagent - Shop keeper victim of violent gang
From:
Kathy Caton
Date:
2007 Jan 31 16:17 UTC
Short link
Posting this on behalf of a friend who's not on the list - would be great to
hear your ideas about how we can help.
Best, Kathy
---
I am a resident of Astra House on Brighton seafront. Below our building,
next door to the Melrose Restaurant is a small newsagent called West Pier
News.
The business is owned by one of the kindest, happiest and most community
minded shop keepers I believe Brighton and Hove has!
Joseph and his staff always have time to find out how you are, tell you the
weather forecast, smile and even encourage me to give up smoking, explaining
how he did it and in the long run loosing my regular cigarette spend with
him!
They are vital members of our community and it is rare in our world of chain
supermarkets and high streets to find a traditional shop keeper offering
exceptional customer services and genuine concern for his customers. I have
seen them walk elderly customers home whilst carrying their shopping.
Over the course of the last two months Joseph had been the victim of a tribe
of teenagers who took great offence to his request to leave the store after
being caught trying to steal some chocolate bars. Their retaliation has
escalated to such a level that he is a haunted looking man - and all his
customers are now very worried about him, his staff and his business.
He has had to double his staff levels to ensure that their are always two
members on site. He no longer feels it fair to take time away from the shop
should they return and one of his staff be hurt trying to look after his
business.
They have thrown eggs and on a separate occasion stones (one of which cut a
female customer in the neck) and last night arrived armed with not only
sticks but we are led to believe knives, and more worryingly a far older
group of teenagers - if not adults.
The police have been called by Joseph and have been on site many times.
Although I was not witness to it I understand they have seen this group
several times at Josephs shop and witnessed their threatening behaviour.
Something must be done to help prevent this wonderful member of our
community loosing his business, his health and his staff their jobs.
I do not know if this is racially aggravated bullying - but it can not be
allowed to continue.
Please let me know how you can help.
Kind regards,
Lorraine Hanson
<email obscured>