(Image: UGC)
A cafe has estimated it will lose almost £7,000 following a devastating break-in that saw around 100 bottles of alcohol stolen.
The Endless Kettle, on North Street in Keighley, was targeted overnight on Saturday with staff alerted by police on Sunday morning.
Owner Michael Bawol said the incident was the fourth break-in the independent business has suffered in three years, but by far the most damaging.
'It was heart-breaking'
The break-in came less than 24 hours after the venue had hosted a wedding celebration.
Michael said: "The day before, we had been celebrating a wedding in that very space.
"To go from a room full of happiness to finding it like that the following morning was heart-breaking.
The independent Keighley café says it is facing losses of almost £7,000 following the burglary. (Image: The Endless Kettle Cafe)
"The police arrived before we did. Seeing officers inside your building trying to get hold of you is frightening.
"Your mind goes through everything it could possibly be: a fire, a break-in, a flood. It was such a sudden change from the happiness of the previous day."
According to Michael, around 100 bottles of alcohol were stolen, including spirits, liqueurs, wines and beers.
The owner said the offenders also took the till, tablet devices and even a loaf of bread, while leaving the bar stripped of stock and belongings scattered across the premises.
The aftermath inside The Endless Kettle in Keighley after burglars ransacked the café, leaving stock and belongings strewn across the floor (Image: The Endless Kettle Cafe)
Busy trading day lost
The cafe was forced to remain closed on Sunday, one of its busiest trading days of the week, while forensic officers examined the scene.
Michael said: "Forensics were at the café from around 7.30am until nearly midday, and we couldn't touch much while they worked."
He added: "We had to cancel lots of bookings, including several birthday celebrations.
"Making those calls on the day people were supposed to be celebrating with us was awful. Thankfully, so many people were understanding and supportive."
Staff then spent an entire day cleaning and disinfecting the premises, while throwing away food that may have been tampered with.
Michael said: "The fridges had been rummaged through, including food prepared for the following morning's service, we couldn't know what had been touched, so we had to discard it."
Around 100 bottles of alcohol were stolen during the break-in, with the bar area left stripped of stock and in disarray. (Image: The Endless Kettle Cafe)
Damage inside The Endless Kettle following a break-in that forced the café to close for a day. (Image: The Endless Kettle Cafe)
Financial and emotional toll
Taking into account stolen stock, damage, repairs, replacement equipment, discarded food and lost trade, The Endless Kettle estimates the incident will cost close to £7,000.
Michael said: "We're a small independent café in Keighley.
"We're not swimming in money, and we don't have a huge market around us.
"Being hit with this is devastating, and we expect to be recovering financially for months."
He also spoke about the emotional impact of the burglary.
"The mental impact is huge too. I've slept only three or four hours in total over the past two days.
"My phone has been glued to my face with the camera app open.
"Every little notification makes my heart race because I'm worried someone has entered the premises again."
Community support praised
Despite the setback, Michael said the response from customers and local residents had been overwhelming.
"The messages and offers of help have meant so much," he said.
"People have offered practical help, financial contributions and suggested setting up a GoFundMe or something similar.
"We haven't accepted any financial offers, and we don't want this to become a fundraising appeal.
"I would much rather have a full cafe than a full account. Coming in for breakfast, lunch or a coffee when we reopen would mean a great deal."
He also thanked the member of the public who raised the alarm, police officers who attended the scene and staff who helped deal with the aftermath.
Looking ahead
Michael believes stock was removed from the premises over a period of several hours during the night and is urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact police.
Despite the damage caused, he is determined the business will recover.
He said: "We've dealt with break-ins before, even if not to this extent, and we'll get through this one too,"
The Endless Kettle is due to reopen on Thursday (October 22) from 10am to 3pm, with additional security measures planned for the future.
West Yorkshire Police has been approached for comment.