THE owner of a shop which opened in Nelson just two weeks ago has been left ‘heartbroken’ after three break-ins have already left her out of pocket.

Shelley Taylor brought her gothic shop The Emporium back to Nelson after a brief spell in Burnley, but it a decision that has come at a cost as the shop has become a victim of a recent spate of incidents in the Scotland Road area since opening on July 10.

The Victory Centre has been the target of thieves and vandals twice in the last two months, with £10,000 worth of damage caused to an empty unit in the shopping centre at the start of June, before Polish outlet M&T Butchers was broken into earlier this week.

But 43-year-old Shelley, who owns the shop with husband Shaun, said it is not just the shopping centre which is being targeted.

“As well as the Victory Centre I know there have been other incidents in the area,” she said. “We were broken into twice in the first four days and then the night after there was an attempted break-in and vandalism.

“Over £1,000 of stock has already been taken, as well as the cosmetic damage that needs repairing.

“We’re a small business that has only just moved. We haven’t got £1,000 to lose. It’s devastating.”

Most of the value of the stolen stock was in fireworks which were taken in one of the break-ins.

It is the second time The Emporium has opened in Nelson, having recently moved back from Burnley.

Shelley said: ““We wanted to move back to Nelson but this a kick in the teeth.”

A police spokesman said: “Sometime between 5.10pm on July 10 and 11.30am on July 11 offenders have approached the rear of the property after climbing over a gate and have removed some putty from a window to gain access. Between 3pm and 9pm on July 12 offenders have again gained access. Then at 6.35pm on July 13 we have had a call to say some youths have been spotted climbing on the scaffolding.

“Anybody with information is asked to call police on 101 or 0800 555 111.”