A BUSINESS owner left devastated by criminal damage to her shop has backed The Gazette’s new retail-focused campaign.

Victoria Kennedy, who owns Vintage Treasures in Church Street, found her independent store’s window had been broken on Bank Holiday Sunday after being told by friends of the damage.

After liaising with Hampshire Police, it was found that the street’s current CCTV coverage did not extend to her shop and now the 36-year-old is calling on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to make sure all shops are watched by surveillance cameras.

She is now calling for extra surveillance at the Top of The Town and has thrown her weight behind this paper’s new campaign – which launches on this page today – championing local traders.

She said: “It’s completely damaging to my business as I have had to close the shop until my insurance company believe the property is safe again.

“There is a massive issue in this area because on my side of the street there is no CCTV coverage at all and we’re at a complete blindspot to the other cameras.

“There is a new nightclub that has opened here bringing around 900 people to this part of town which is great, but surely it would make sense to have more CCTV coverage because people like to have a drink and sometimes it goes too far.”

Backing our campaign, she said: “Campaigns like The Gazette’s are vitally important in highlighting issues for local businesses in the area and I fully support it.

“This campaign won’t just help residents and businesses but all of those with a vested interest in the town. Hopefully it will bring up issues that people really need to know about.”

BDBC cabinet member for communities and community safety Cllr Simon Bound said the council had been informed about the incident and was sorry to hear about the damage caused. Cllr Bound said: “We acknowledge the important role that CCTV plays as part of the overall approach to community safety in the town and are in the process of upgrading the existing cameras throughout the Top of The Town. As part of this investment, coverage is being improved.”

Witnesses should call 101, quoting 44160201668.