A FAMILY have been left shattered after their town centre coffee and chocolate business was targeted in a late night raid.

Marimba Coffee Shop, in Borehamgate Shopping precinct, Sudbury, had its front door smashed in on Wednesday night and money, stock and personal items totalling more than �1,000 stolen.

When staff arrived they later discovered their chocolate and traditional sweet shop opposite - The Sudbury Chocolatiers - had been raided alongside Peyton Plaice Fish and Chip shop next door, which had its doors smashed open and items stolen.

Jackie Wright, who runs the business with her son, Brad, daughter, Katherine and husband, David, said: “We are absolutely gutted. Brad got here first and then when I arrived we just simply burst into tears. It is tough enough running your own business at the moment, we really didn’t need this. It’s not just the cost of what we have lost but we also lost valuable trading time in the morning when we get lots of customers.”

Despite Borehamgate precinct being locked at night the raiders managed to get inside to steal �200, a laptop, two iPods belonging to staff and caused more than �600 of damage.

All the food stocks inside the fridges and freezers had to be dumped after the doors were ripped open.

Reinforced doors at the back of the chocalatiers were also smashed open during the raid and confectionary stolen.

Brad Wright said: “I don’t know how they managed to get through the reinforced doors. They then smashed through another set of doors to get inside the shop. It just seems so utterly futile to do this. But we got it sorted and were open for buisness again by lunchtime.”

His sister Katherine said she was “gutted” when she discovered her seven-year-old laptop had been stolen containing pictures and university essays. “I just hope someone will return it,” she added.

Mrs Wright added that they would never be leaving money or valuables in either premises overnight again.

Scott Lisney who runs Peyton Plaice said a curry source heater was stolen, �125 of cash and two charity boxes.

Police are appealing for information on the raid which took place between 8pm on Wednesday and 6.30am on Thursday.

Anyone who heard anything or may have witnessed suspicious activity around the precinct should call Pc Gemma Fox or Pc Darren Marshall on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.