RESOLUTE villagers have rallied in support of a brave shopkeeper after an armed raid on her newly-opened business Dobcross Village Store.
On Saturday, December 16, a brazen young thief, armed with a wheel wrench, walked into the store and post office six months to the day after Anna Roscoe, 34, first opened.
The man tore the cash till from its mounting on the shop counter and ran from the premises on Woods Lane.
He made off in a car driven by an accomplice, leaving Anna and her assistant Holly Hutchins stunned.
Anna said: “It all happened in an instance. The raider walked in, mumbled something and literally pulled the cash till from its mounting, leaving the wrench behind.”
Police are now continuing their investigation into the raid.
Meanwhile, in happier news for the store, Anna has learned they have been nominated for a prestigious award.
The Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed the ‘Rural Oscars’, are returning for their 13th year supporting rural businesses.
And her pristine premises are a contender in the village shop/post office category for the skills and produce, tradition and enterprise for “people who go the extra mile for their communities”.
The regional champions, announced in March, will be invited to the Houses of Parliament for the finals, and, in the presence of MPs and Ministers, five will be crowned British Champions.
Others categories are: local food/drink, Britain’s Best Butcher; Rural Enterprise and Britain’s Best Pub.
Paul Clegg, chair of the Dobcross Village Community Executive, said: “Anna and her team have brought new life to the village.
“Villagers were appalled by the robbery because Anna has really put her best efforts into the business and she’s receiving massive support from everyone.”
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