'Don't kick us while we're down': Toilet rolls stolen from independent North Leeds restaurant during Coronavirus struggle

A restaurant owner in Leeds has shared his shock after opportunistic customers stole toilet rolls from the business amid the coronavirus outbreak.
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Will Pugh, who owns the Hessian Cantina and Cocina in Oakwood, said that he felt "sad" that people would steal from the restaurant, especially during a time when the industry is struggling.

Posting on Facebook. he said: "We didn’t want to do this but as a team of staff we felt so sad that our customers would take such advantage. What you’re looking at is an empty box, usually filled with toilet roll.

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"Our business and the entire hospitality industry is on its a*** (excuse the appropriate pun) and now we are now the subject of blatant theft. Give us a break!

Customers stole toilet rolls from the Hessian cafe in Oakwood. Photo provided by the company.Customers stole toilet rolls from the Hessian cafe in Oakwood. Photo provided by the company.
Customers stole toilet rolls from the Hessian cafe in Oakwood. Photo provided by the company.

"We would never use social media to shame or complain about our customers but this we feel needed sharing. Maybe we need to adopt a BYO policy?"

Businesses in Leeds have been hit hard after the government advised against 'non-essential' contact, with many local businesses closing for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Will said the situation has left a lot of independent restaurants thinking about survival.

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He said: "It's an awful situation to be in. Everyone has had to change completely.

"We re-branded to serve Mexican food only about six weeks ago and the response was amazing.

"We've been fully booked every night but then Coronavirus happened. It is scary.

He added: "The fact that someone stole toilet roll from us doesn't surprise me and it has happened a couple of times before.

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"I don't really use social media and definitely don't use it to name and shame people but this was just ridiculous and I had to say something.

"I can see the funny side of something like this but at the same time I don't know who would do it.

"Talk about kicking us when we're down - give us a break!"

At the moment, Hessian, on Roundhay Road, is still open to the public and is also serving takeaway food.

Will says that his focus is to keep staff in their jobs for as long as physically possible.

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He said: "I'm not panicking. My job as the owner is to keep the spirits up, keep staff informed and try and keep things positive.

"If I close up now I will have to let go of staff and it's that moral compass that I am struggling with.

"We've got a skeleton staff in at the moment and my focus is to keep them in a job as long as possible."

He added: "It's a hard time for everyone in this industry because it really relies on cash.

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"The saving grace is that we all the Leeds indies are in it together but at the end of the day, we are all thinking about survival.

"It's not just about being closed for a few weeks or months if there's a lock-down, it is what happens after that. When will customers feel safe enough to go out again?"

Will is keeping an eye on the government advice but knows that he will have to make tough decisions in the coming weeks.

He says that in the short term, the Leeds community can support the restaurant by visiting, buying takeaway food or purchasing a gift-voucher to use in the future.

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However, he said the government will be the ones who ensure local restaurants like his can survive the coronavirus pandemic.

Will said: "In the long term, there's not much the local community can do, it's all down to the government and what support they can offer.

"I just hope that this crisis will refocus people.

"I hope that it makes people appreciate spending time in local businesses and with loved ones rather than scrolling on their phones.

"There has to be some good that comes from all of this."

Hessian will be on Uber Eats soon for delivery takeaway. Follow the restaurant on Facebook for updates.