A new business venture was today facing bankruptcy before even opening its doors to customers after thieves stripped the place bare.

The owners of the newly refurbished takeaway restaurant in Southend were yesterday (Thursday) too distressed to speak of their shock at realising their dreams of a thriving business now lay in tatters.

They had planned to open to the public in the next few days.

Detectives today appealed for help to try and trace the thieves who made off with equipment worth more than £20,000.

The break-in happened at the Best Tasty Chicken and Kebab shop on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Fairfax Drive at some time during the last two weeks.

The locks were forced off the door by the intruders who then secured the premises with chains and a padlock as they left.

Police are treating it as a break-in but believe it could be the work of a team of bailiffs. The previous owners of the premises went into liquidation and closed for business months ago.

Cookers, grills, drink chillers and even illuminated price lists were taken, leaving the restaurant nothing more than an empty shell.

A spokesman for Southend police said to completely clear out the restaurant would have been a massive job.

He added: "The equipment would have had to have been loaded into some sort of vehicle. None of it would have been light and easy to move. We believe someone must have seen something."

Police also want to hear from anyone in the takeaway business who may have been offered cheap equipment from irregular sources.

The spokesman added: "Our priority is to get this equipment back to its owners so they haven't lost their livelihood."

If you can help call Southend police on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Padlock - raiders left the doors secured with a chain

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