New fish and chip shop owners have been left reeling after a sticky oil-based substance was sprayed through the letterbox, covering the shop.
Marc and Andrea Cotton only took over the popular Rectory Fish Bar, Rectory Road, West Bridgford, on December 2 this year.
They were called out by a supplier making an early delivery on Friday (December 20) who spotted the damage.
Andrea, 46 - who met her husband when she worked at another chip shop - was in tears when she surveyed the scene.
She said: "We are not sure what the substance is. It is oil-based and was everywhere. We are waiting for the police to come.
"We lost trade yesterday morning. We managed to get open at 3.45pm".
Marc, 57, said he was gutted but declared "we are open" and "onwards and upwards!"
After working in textiles, he was made redundant at the end of November. Andrea worked at a Ruddington chip shop for 25 years before she moved to Rectory Fish Bar.
Marc added: "The owner said he had had enough of the trade and that's how we bought it with savings and redundancy".
A pump spray is thought to have been used to splatter the dark coloured substance across the counter and work space.
"It was all over the equipment and everywhere," said Marc. "Family and friends helped to clean it up".
A tenant above the shop thought the couple had been painting when he smelt the liquid.
"We have screwed the letterbox shut now," said Marc. "We had a restless night last night just thinking they might be back. It seems vindictive".
The couple have saved the cloths used to mop up the mess for police to analyse.
Nottinghamshire Live has contacted Nottinghamshire Police for comment.
