HEARTLESS thieves could not derail Christmas for one plucky couple who opened their shop to festive customers this morning despite being robbed last night.
Shortly before closing time yesterday, two men burst into the Deli-on-the-Hill in Linkfield Street, Redhill, and intimidated staff before making off with the till.
But determined that the despicable act would not ruin Christmas for them and their customers, store owners Paul and Belinda Clarke pushed on and opened the deli this morning to help customers with their Christmas shopping.
"We are still open, we've got no till, but we're here," Mrs Clarke said.
"We have got a lot of turkey, ham and cheese orders we have got to fulfil."
She added: "We've just got that stiff upper lip attitude, have a cup of tea and carry on because you have to.
"That is why we're open today, we have got orders from people and we are not going to let them down."
Mrs Clarke was in the store when the pair burst in and admits she was petrified during the incident but community support has helped the pair get quickly back on their feet.
The mother-of-one told the Mirror: "I was scared, petrified in fact.
"There was a moment where I didn't know what to do, all I could do was stand there. You just have to don't you otherwise you will get hurt.
"The police were brilliant and the people around here have been amazing; a lot of people came straight over from the pub across the road and helped. The community support has been great."
The Clarkes, who took opened the store when the Redhill branch of Cullender's deli closed earlier this year, say they are having a very busy first Christmas in the shop – with the cheese counter having to be refilled four times in the last week.
Neighbourhood Inspector Richard Haycock slammed the crime, branding the perpetrators "appalling" and vowing to do all he could to bring them to justice.
He tweeted: "I'm truly sorry to hear [about the theft].
"Appalling. I will look into this investigation and make sure no stone is unturned."
Call police on 101 with information.
