A COUPLE have been left heartbroken after thieves broke into their Northwich shop.

Husband and wife Angelus and Angela Ellis were stunned to discover the break-in at their 'goth shop' Fat Dog in Spencer Street. 

The two thieves forced their way into the shop at around 4.15am on Monday before fleeing an hour later after setting the alarm off.

After helping themselves to food and drink from the shop's kitchen, the pair made off with cash from the till and stock items off the service counter.

Angelus and Angela opened their shop – which sells ornaments, gifts, clothing, accessories and jewellery – last April and it had gone from strength to strength until this incident.

Angelus said: "Both me and my wife are heartbroken over it, but at the same time, glad they didn't do more damage.

Northwich Guardian: The Fat Dog shop in NorthwichThe Fat Dog shop in Northwich

"It was horrible having to watch the CCTV. We opened the shop in April last year and have been in there six or seven days a week – we don't draw a wage as it all goes back into growing the business.

"I've lived in cities most of my life and I would expect this there. I honestly didn't think we would have the issue here.

"We try and do things for the local community. We have days with stalls on the car park for local businesses that we promote and don't charge them.

"We also have a section of the shop just for seating as we noticed lots of kids who were bullied for being trans, gay or just different and we wanted to give them somewhere safe to go."

The incident was reported to the police who are now appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "At 10.40am on Monday, February 7, police were called to reports of a burglary at a shop at the Printworks on Spencer Street, Northwich.

"The caller reported that a unknown person had forced entry into the address overnight and stolen cash from the till.

"Officers have attended the scene and are following a number of lines of enquiry, including CCTV footage and forensics.

"Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police at cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or on 101, quoting IML 1195860."