ah well

[steveL]

AN APPEAL has been issued over the theft of topiary worth almost £250 from outside a newly-opened coffee house in Hartlepool.

Three boxwood shrubs fashioned into the shape of a dolphin, a flower and a duck have been taken over the last week from Inspirations Coffee House in Tanfield Road.

The theft of one shrub occurred overnight Sunday/Monday and the others were taken between closing time on Wednesday evening and the next morning.

In each case, it is believed that thieves climbed over a boundary fence before uprooting the shrubs – each worth £81 – from their pots.

Security and surveillance at the site has now been stepped up and the thefts have been reported to Cleveland Police. Anyone who saw anything suspicious or who has information about the whereabouts of the shrubs is asked to call (01642) 326326.

The coffee house opened last month and is being run by Hartlepool Council as part of its strategy to generate additional income at a time of unprecedented Government budget cuts. It is on the site of the authority's existing Stranton Garden Nursery.

Karen Oliver, the Council's Facilities Management Manager, said: "Inspirations Coffee House has been extremely busy since opening and we are already building up a regular clientele.

"Mindless thefts like this are a blow but we won't left them dampen our enthusiasm for providing a stylish location where people can meet to enjoy a wide range of coffees and teas along with a delicious selection of daily house specials, weekend breakfasts and excellent quality cakes and scones – with friendly and efficient customer service from our dedicated team."

Following the opening of the coffee house, further phases of development on the site will see the creation of a new Inspirations Garden Centre shop and a series of "inspirational gardens". These will be regularly refreshed and used to showcase the garden centre's products.

Further information about Inspirations Coffee House and Garden Centre is available at www.inspirationscoffeehouse.co.uk

[not4me]

You'd think these things would be relatively easy to trace if some divvy decides to put them in their garden

[marky]

that's a dead cert n4m...

[stokoe]

I just think we have enough scum and thieving in this town before inviting a load of gypsies in...

allinthistogether wrote the above on the gypsy post

last night at the cafe two standard bay trees where thieved,and they don't come cheap.
scumbags.