Torquay raid shop-keeper 'overwhelmed' by community support

A Torquay shop owner has been 'humbled and overwhelmed' by the support from the community after a heartbreaking raid on her business.

"I’ve been totally humbled by strangers' random acts of kindness. I’ll never forget it for as long as I live," said Jayne Murden who now wants to say a personal thanks to all those who have come to her aid after the devastating burglary.

Her Cherubs children's clothing shop in St Marychurch had been preparing for its much anticipated winter sale when thieves smashed their way in with a hammer and loaded up a van with thousands of pounds worth of clothes and shoes.

Jayne’s two daughters had used the opportunity of a pre-sale lull to arrange a surprise family holiday to St Ives in Cornwall after a challenging year during which Jayne and her father had battled illness.

"To end the year on something positive, my daughters surprised me with a family holiday, " said Jayne.

But the holiday came to an abrupt and shocking end on day three of the seven-day break when Jayne had numerous phone calls on her mobile to say that someone had smashed their way into the shop - with a van and a car loaded up rack upon rack with stock.

She had built the business over 20 years and said: "It’s the damage isn’t it - it’s the psychological impact it has on you, like you feel so vulnerable and so violated."

Four weeks after the raid Jayne recalls how her neighbourhood community, including her landlord and her only employee Alex, all came together on the scene to support her in the immediate aftermath. With the police still hunting the burglars, Jayne said: ‘I’m obviously still upset and still feel frightened, but my upset has turned more into thanks because it’s made me realise how kind people are.

‘Whether or not people have bought anything from me is irrelevant, it’s their thoughtfulness that’s blown me away. People buying me flowers and visiting me, giving me random hugs and offering well wishes."

The support has been offered not only by local people but also by local businesses, with one Torquay wine deli offering to pay for an entire meal for Jayne when she had only popped in to get a coffee. 

Jayne says: "I’ve been totally humbled by stranger’s random acts of kindness. I’ll never forget it for as long as I live and it’s made me feel really grateful for people."

Jayne has tackled personal and family health issues since before COVID 19, and has navigated her self-employment by moving the majority of her business online. Though this gives her greater flexibility to work outside of the more regimented shop opening hours, she said that from March onwards she would like to begin opening the shop more regularly as she feels this would allow her to give back to the community and focus on meeting the needs of her customers.

Despite the theft of thousands of pounds worth of stock weeks before her final supplier bills were due, the support has been an invaluable part of Cherubs’ recovery, with Jayne revealing: "I have had such a massive uplift in local sales since it happened."

Jayne is now looking to start afresh with her new spring collection and is currently selling her remaining summer and winter stock for 50 - 70 per cent off. She is now aiming to open the store more regularly on Wednesday to Saturday between the hours of 11pm and 5pm, and Sunday between 12pm and 2pm.

She says: "We have got stock left and we would be so grateful if people could share their support because if you don’t use a local business eventually you would lose it, as sad as it is. I don’t take any sale for granted, whether it’s £2, £20, or £100. I wouldn’t survive without local. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity to carry on. It’s not been easy, and I’ve still got bills to pay but thanks to the kindness of the community, there has been a big improvement.."

Jayne told her friends on Facebook: "I have been overwhelmed at your kindness and messages and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart."