A LOCAL business is urging thieves to think twice as shops face post pandemic struggles without the need for added stress.

The Hippy Shop in Mold has been subjected to shop lifting incidents since re-opening earlier this year.

All monies raised goes towards the funding of Rainbow Biz's social enterprise projects, helping the vulnerable in communities.

But owners Sarah Way and Sue Oliver say that shoplifting not only impacts staff morale and business, it also directly impacts the projects.

Sue said: "Since we re-opened, disgustingly we have had a few incidents of shop lifting.

"The latest one she was in the store and we noticed and gave her several opportunities to hand stuff back but we had to stop and search her when she was leaving the store. The worst thing was she wasn't bothered, she simply said oh well caught red handed and walked off.

"It's difficult for independent businesses but thefts like this have impacts on our community projects and the people we support. They are directly impacted by people stealing from the shop because all our profits fund our projects.

"We have all been struggling through this pandemic but there is no excuse to seal. They aren't stealing food or items that are needed to survive. Everyone has been struggling, I'm just really saddened by it.

"It affects our morale as well in the shop. We are having to keep an eye on people. We are trying to keep everyone safe, we don't need this added stress."

The couple is urging people to support local now more than ever.

They added: "Support local businesses, they need you now more than ever.

"We also have a lot of people who raise issues with mask wearing. In Wales it's the law to wear a mask indoors but we still get people saying what is our problem and it can be intimidating. We are just trying to do our jobs.

"It's all so disrespectful, it's abusive. We are not paid enough to stand here and take it all.

"After everything we have been through we have made our shop a safe place but now all this is making our job stressful and people don't seem to care.

"All other businesses are looking out for one another, it's just a small minority of customers there's no need.

"We are tired, we work so hard and are just faced with abuse."