These are the words of Sophie Knight, owner of coffee shop SOPHiE in both Rendall Bridge and Skeldergate Bridge, after receiving a trespass alarm at her Rendall premises.
She said: “I got a message on Facebook saying the coffee shop was closed and to get there as soon as possible. The back door was open and the bottom was being punched.”
Sophie told the newspaper that the damage was “limited” and that there was little financial loss as no cash was left at the scene. However, a donation was made for the children's ward at York Hospital.
“It was a real shock for us and the girls who work here,” she said, as an all-female team continued to work at the cafe while the patio entrance was repaired.
Sophie added: “We'll be open at both venues and having a friendly face will lift everyone's spirits.”
“We just have to keep moving forward and moving forward. The messages from other local businesses and customers have been great.”
Her Skeldergate Bridge site has fully reopened today (January 4) after having to close its terraces during flooding. Sophie said she and her team will continue to work to keep the second floor open after the flood.
The incident at Rendall Bridge is currently being investigated by North Yorkshire Police. We have reached out to them for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
