Yahoo News The Bake restaurant in Byker forced to close after raiders trash the inside
A popular Lebanese restaurant has been forced to close after raiders smashed their way in and trashed the inside.
The Bake, on Newcastle's Byker Bank, was burgled after it closed on Friday night. The thieves stole cash and computers from the business. But they also left a trail of destruction, smashing windows and damaging vital equipment. One week on the restaurant remains shut.
And today as police continue to hunt the raiders Ali Fawaz Alali who owns The Bake, has told of his fears that repairs will cost tens of thousands of pounds.
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The 39-year-old said: "The door had been smashed in, they smashed the window and they broke all the machines inside."
Dad-of-two Ali, who opened The Bake in 2010, discovered the restaurant had been targeted when he arrived on Saturday. The damage to equipment means it would be impossible to prepare food safely, he said, so the restaurant is still closed. Ali estimates it will cost between £60,000 and £80,000 to repair and replace what he has lost.
"It's very, very unusual. It can't have been just one person," he added: "Me and my wife has just been worrying we have lost the business."
Police are now appealing for witnesses to the break-in.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We are investigating a burglary at The Bake on Byker Bank which occurred overnight on Friday into Saturday morning. Offenders gained access to the premises and made off with computers and cash, as well as causing substantial damage inside. Enquiries are ongoing into the burglary."
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log NP-20240511-0441.
