Crime-hit city shop owner feels 'let down'

The shop frontage was damaged during a reported burglary in October

A shop owner who battled break-ins and shoplifters before closing the store said he feels "let down".

Liam Stanhope, who owned Metro Fashion on Middle Pavement in Nottingham, said the business had lost about £10,000 due to crime since opening in July.

In the run up to Christmas, it even had a customer stepping in to help as a security guard after he heard of their problems.

A police spokesperson said the force took business crime "extremely seriously".

Liam Stanhope said a member of staff had become too afraid to come to work

Mr Stanhope said he was "gutted" to have left but felt not enough action had been taken by police and the local business improvement group.

"I just don't think the area has enough cameras or is patrolled enough. We feel let down," he told the BBC.

"It was so difficult to close [in] Nottingham. This is a city that me and my wife love, and we were proud to own a business here.

"We were just losing too much stock and struggling with footfall."

Mr Stanhope runs the business with his wife Alannah and also has a store in Lincolnshire.

"I've had no problems with my Grantham store," he said.

"We haven't had any shoplifters, thefts or burglaries."

Police said two people had been charged over thefts from Metro

He added they intended to open another store in Nottingham but away from the Bridlesmith Gate area.

"I would never set up a shop in that area again," he said.

"Unless you have a massive budget for security and stuff it is just not feasible for someone like me."

Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma of Nottinghamshire Police said the force took business crime "extremely seriously".

He said: "In the city alone, we made 390 arrests for shoplifting in 2024 and that strong performance is continuing this year.

"We have also dealt with many other offenders through other routes, including immediate justice, and out of court resolutions."

The force also confirmed two people had been charged over separate incidents at Metro Fashion, with one jailed and one awaiting trial.

Alex Flint, CEO, Nottingham BID Company Ltd, said: "Partnerships between Nottingham BID, city centre businesses, and Nottinghamshire Police are yielding results.

"We are not naive to the impact of the reported thefts at Metro Fashion and have worked hard to support the business, but we know that Nottingham remains a great place to do business."