Units in Neath Market have been trashed and burgled in an overnight attack, leaving businesses counting the cost in times that they say are already tough enough.
Katie’s Kitchen and Sue’s Pantry were both torn apart, while gift business Rees and Sons was completely ransacked.
The business is one of the oldest in the area, having been trading for 146 years.
Owner Jonathan Rees said: “The place is a complete mess. They came in through the roof of Sue’s Pantry and made a beeline for us.
“They took bags of little stuff they could carry such as two trays of watches, as well as our float, and trashed a glass jewellery cabinet."
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He said the thieves did later drop three carrier bags full of items and the float was also recovered.
But he added: “They also took a poppy appeal box, and another charity box - we have been raising money for Kidney Wales."
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When he spoke to WalesOnline on Monday, November 2, he said they were still clearing up the mess.
“But it’s a slow process to get it back to normal. Until we’ve sorted it all, we won’t know how much we have lost.
“Times are hard enough as it is, without having to deal with something like this. Whoever did this are scumbags, just low lives.”
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "We were called to report of a burglary at Neath Market at about 11pm on October 30.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact 101 quoting occurrence 2000396037".
