THE owners of an Edinburgh bakery have been left shocked after turning up and finding its shutters glued closed and CCTV cameras vandalised – three days in a row.
Bald Baker on Oxgangs Broadway was targeted on Tuesday, Wednesday and again yesterday, with each incident worse than the last.
Glue and industrial filler were poured into the locks, with the cameras also damaged and wires cut.
It forced the shop to delay opening on all three mornings, after only recently reopening following a four-month closure.
After turning up on Tuesday for a 6:30am opening, staff found the shutters unusable due to the locks being blocked.
Builders merchants Jewson came to the rescue, providing a spray to dissolve the adhesive, but opening was delayed until 8am.
Just an hour later, a man reportedly walked past and threw a cup of coffee over the window, in front of customers.
On Wednesday morning, the same situation occurred, except the vandals used an industrial filler which took longer to dissolve.
It took an agonising five hours before the shop could finally open, after getting enough goods to sell from the bakery’s branch in Slateford.
Staff also found that the wires on the shop’s CCTV system had been cut, and a camera outside the building vandalised.
Yesterday morning saw two types of glue poured into the locks, with pictures posted to social media showing a thick layer dried onto the metal.
Karen Shackleton, supervisor at Bald Baker, shared the snaps with a warning that staff are working with the police to find out who is responsible.
The bakery sits on a row of shops, but no other business in the area has been targeted.
It opened in 2022 and had been forced to close for four months due to staffing and the Slateford branch being very busy.
A post to social media on Wednesday read: “Morning folks. Unfortunately, Bald Baker – Oxgangs Broadway will be open late this morning, or possibly not at all today.
“This is the second morning running, that someone has put glue in the locks in our shutters.
“We were able to dissolve yesterday’s [glue], but unfortunately this morning it’s a bit more industrial and might take some time.
“Fear not. Slateford will still be open, for all your pies and yummy treats, from 9am.”
It has attracted a host of comments from disgusted locals sharing their reactions.
One wrote: “Why on earth? What a demented thing to do.”
Another agreed: “Honest to God, what is wrong with people? Hope you get it sorted.”
A third said: “Someone really doesn’t want you to open that’s for sure. Local business possibly?”
Speaking today, Karen Shackleton, supervisor at Bald Baker, said: “My initial reaction, was shock – why would someone target us like this?
“We were shut for four months and have only just reopened. The response from the community has been fantastic.
“Everyone seems happy to have us back. Then this happens.
“Our main shop is in Slateford and obviously this has delayed production [on] both days.
“We’re a busy bakers and everything is produced fresh, daily. We have large orders to fulfill, as well as items for both shops.”
Speaking today, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We received a report of damage to premises on Tuesday, 26, November, and two further reports.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
