A woman says a surprise spa retreat booked for her 40th birthday was ruined when her partner's van was broken into.
Helen Broadley, 40, says partner Robert Vasey, 40, a gardener, booked the surprise stay at the Mercure Norton Grange Spa hotel in Rochdale. She says they were very excited - but their enjoyment was marred when thieves broke into Robert's vehicle.
She says: "My partner had booked a surprise spa retreat for my 40th which we were very excited about on June 18. We parked it at the hotel and went in to enjoy our stay.
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"The following morning when we got up, we went out to put something in the van and it had been vandalised." Helen, a dog walker, says luckily Robert had not left much overnight in the van as he had emptied it the day before - but the lock was broken and some expensive tools had been taken.
She also said the door may have to be replaced and the casing of the rear light was damaged. Rob said the tools are "desirable" and added: "As I am a gardener, this is peak time for contracts and I am losing work."
Helen says: "The police have confirmed this hotel is in a high crime area and is regularly targeted by known criminals yet the CCTV in the hotel has yet to provide decent enough evidence that helps and protects its customers. My boyfriend has made a complaint directly with the hotel who have confirmed they are well aware of the crime in the area."
Helen, who lives in Market Weighton, near York added: "A man parked next to us, a member at the gym and spa there, had advised that his previous car had been stolen and as a result downgraded his to make it less appealing."
Helen says despite the hotel offering a sincere apology, she doesn't feel it is enough. She says: "They should at least operate a gated secure parking system with a patron charge if they feel they cannot foot the bill. My partner is now out of work while his vehicle is being dealt with by insurers leaving him with no income as he is a new set up self employed business. He is worried this may result in his van being written off."
Helen says she feels the hotel should offer gated parking and have better CCTV. She says: "I feel like Mercure needs to be held more accountable than a written apology. It makes no head way in helping a paying customer who is now in a much worse position because of this lack of security."
A spokesperson for the hotel said: "The hotel is aware of the complaint and working with the police however cannot comment as the investigation is ongoing.”
A spokesperson for GMP said: "I can confirm this was reported to us and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information should contact us using the LiveChat function on the website or calling 101 quoting 979 of 19/06/2022.
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