Owner of ransacked Falkirk cafe Tea Jenny's thanks community for support

The owner of a Falkirk cafe marquee ransacked by vandals has thanked the community for its “overwhelming” support.

By Jonathon Reilly

Published 23rd Nov 2020, 14:58 BST

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An outdoor area connected to Tea Jenny’s was deliberately trashed at some point on Friday night, with weights removed, string lights stripped down and patio heaters damaged.

The damage was so bad, management had to cease trading for much of Saturday.

Despite being left dejected by the incident, owner Jenny Duncan has been able to remain upbeat thanks to the way in which customers have rallied round her business, which sits in Kings Court just off the town’s High Street.

Weights were deliberately moved by vandals at the Tea Jenny's marquee in Falkirk town centre. Picture: Tea Jenny's Facebook page.

Weights were deliberately moved by vandals at the Tea Jenny's marquee in Falkirk town centre. Picture: Tea Jenny's Facebook page.

Hundreds of well wishes have been left on social media posts published by Tea Jenny’s detailing the vandalism.

The support has clearly left staff touched.

Ms Duncan said: “The community has been brilliant on Facebook and Instagram. It was quite overwhelming actually.

“I met with police this morning and it turns out the cameras at the top are broken so they’re relying on the cameras in High Street.

String lights in a marquee set up by Tea Jenny's in Kings Court, Falkirk were ripped down by vandals. Tea Jenny's Facebook page.

String lights in a marquee set up by Tea Jenny's in Kings Court, Falkirk were ripped down by vandals. Tea Jenny's Facebook page.

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“The damage stopped us from trading on Saturday for a while. It happened on Friday night when we left after 4.30pm.

“We came in in the morning and it was trashed. They tried to sabotage our patio heaters and lifted all the weights which are 50 kilograms, hoping the marquee would blow away.

“We’ve got it all cleared up now. An electrician had a job cancelled and offered to fix everything free of charge but it was already done.

“There’s £300 to £400 of damage, not including the trading we lost on our busiest day.

“However, what do you do? The police are still looking into it.”

The incident has prompted the Tea Jenny’s management into calling for greater security measures to be introduced to the area.

Ms Duncan continued: “It says we really need cameras in that lane.

“We’re an all-girl team and sometimes there are no lights at all. I spoke to someone from the council and they said they’d get that fixed.

“Falkirk BID is buying us some security cameras, which is great.

“Thanks to everybody for the support in general. It’s a great community.”

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