A vape shop owner has been left "traumatised" after his shop was broken into and vandalised. Mick Bicknell, 49, was awoken by police arriving at his house on Thursday morning, January 26. to deliver the bad news following the break-in, which occurred at around 2.45am.
Upon attending the scene at Micks Vapes, in Derby Road, Stapleford, Mick observed the "utter devastation" that had been caused. The door to the shop had been kicked in, shelves were bare and a complete "mess" had been left on the floor of the store.
With the strain that other factors, such as coronavirus, have had on businesses, Mick, who used to live above the store but now lives in Sandiacre, says that the break-in could be "the straw that breaks in the camel's back". He has been operating out of the shop - running several different businesses - since 1991 and says that Micks Vapes has been the best he has ever run.
Read more: Delivery driver punched and robbed at knifepoint
Recalling the incident, Mick said: "It's not pleasant. It's a bit of a surprise when you get the cops knocking at your door in the early hours of the morning.
"Somebody saw it happening and they saw the police at around 2.40 this morning. When I attended the scene this morning it's just utter devastation.
"The door had been kicked in, they left such a mess on the shop floor and just empty shelves. You look round and all you see is empty shelves, with all your stock gone.
"Covid was a struggle and this just doesn't help at all. The cost of running a business has gone through the roof.
"There's going to be a straw that breaks the camel's back sooner or later - this might be it." Mick says he was surprised by the incident, with, to his knowledge, a low amount of crime taking place in the area.
He added: "It's a surprise [for something like this to happen in the area]. I've been here since 1991 and I've run several businesses from this actual shop, this is my latest one, and it's been really really good.
"It's probably the best one I've ever run from here. I never see anything like this going off. No crime ever.
"There are several shops along the high street and you never see anything. I was just unlucky. I'm feeling stressed now. It's traumatic.
"It's not an everyday occurrence so when it happens you certainly feel the effects of it, I can tell you. It's dealing with all the insurance and that - it's not straightforward."
Nottinghamshire Police say that investigations into the incident are continuing. A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: "A break-in occurred at a business premises in Derby Road, Stapleford, at around 2.45am this morning (Thursday). Investigations into what happened are continuing and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 56 of 26 January 2023."
READ NEXT:
Bestwood neighbours feel safer amid more CCTV to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour
Nottinghamshire paedophile convicted on 8 charges involving child
CCTV images released after thieves target elderly woman in Nottingham city centre
Mum of tragic baby Wynter Andrews speaks out as Nottingham hospital Trust admits failings
