A businessman who is about to open a new restaurant and wants to be “part of the community” was left heartbroken and thousands of pounds out of pocket
after all his windows were smashed.
Jim Maloney was just weeks away from opening a Black Rooster piri piri franchise in Deans when a vandal struck, breaking every window.
Jim said the attack means he will have to push back opening the restaurant by another two weeks and pay between £5000 and £7000 for new windows.
He said also said he has had a lot of support from people in the area who were looking forward to his business opening.
Jim, who also owns cafes in Glasgow and is opening the branch with brother in-law-Peter Goulding, told the Courier: “I want to be known and be a face there and for us to be part of the community.
“I could have cried when I saw the damage.
“I was more upset than angry. There has been so much hard work we have put into it.
“It’s hard for businesses just now anyway. I had been looking forward to our opening night and welcoming people.
“I have been speaking to all the young ones in Deans and they can’t wait.
“I have also been speaking to George from Rab’s Bar and the first thing he said was what happened to me was not Deans; they’re a tight-knit wee area.”
The vandalism took place on Thursday between 8pm and 8.30pm and Jim said that he is also angry that it took police officers 72 hours to respond.
He said: “It wasn’t just a wee window that somebody threw a stone at. It’s a lot of money involved and it has set us back a couple of weeks.
“The council didn’t want us to put a roller shutter up and I understand that, I didn’t want that either, but I’m going to have to now.
“I can’t take a chance because I could be shut for weeks if it happens again, or I’ll not get insurance for the windows.”
Jim added: “I’m just trying to set up a business in the area.
“I’d been speaking to the councillor, Alison Adamson, and she said that an elderly lady who lives across from us had been on the phone to Alison about the Indian restaurant that had burned down every week saying it was an eyesore.
“She’s now been saying how good the shop looks and what a difference it’s made to the Main Street.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received a report of vandalism at a premises on Main Street, Deans, Livingston, around 8.45pm on Thursday, 27 October, 2022.
"Officers are following a positive line of enquiry.”
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