Page 5 - link magazine

FRESHBROOK & GRANGE PARK 5
Vandalism threatens Village Facechoice
Centre businesses VISITING
Pharmacy
Mindless damage to business premises at Freshbrook Village Centre
is threatening their future. Smashed windows and fires during the CHIROPODIST Freshbrook
summer months, along with unruly behaviour and foul language, is Village Centre
turning the Centre into an undesirable place.
Dianne C Howard Tel: 870226
Dentist Brendan Ball has had pav- Cut 'n Dry hair salon owner Sue
ing slabs lobbed through armoured Collins says the damage to shop M.SSCH.,M.B.CH.A Opening Times:
glass windows at his village centre units which front onto the Village Monday - Friday
surgery. Since June eight windows Centre car park is much less. "But
have been smashed and a door has we do get a lot of noise and abusive Telephone 9am- 1pm
been kicked in. language upsetting customers dur- 2.1 5pm - 6pm
"I have had more damage to my ing evening opening hours and the (0793) - 850089 Saturday
premises in eight weeks than I have holidays."
had in the seventeen years I've been There are rumours that the car 9am- 12noon
in Swindon, including the eight years park is used as a trading point for
I've been in Freshbrook," said Mr drugs with some people becoming
c(
41
Ball. "This summer has been very uncontrollable and aggressive un- 4J
4 R.T. Farley ,
costly. All the businesses around der the influence. I PLUMBING
here are being effected by the van- Dillons convenience store assist-
dalism and it must call into question ant manager Neil Hutchinson said Landscape Gardener B SERVICES
their viability. his staff kept a close eye on who in West Swindon ' • Boilers
"It is a great shame that a commu- buys alcohol. "The evening super-
nity that has so much going for it is visor can spot under under age 20 years experience. Serviced
being damaged by an unruly and young people buying intoxicants. Turfing, Paving, • Pump Fitting
undesirable element." We don't accept ID proof if we're Service
Next door, Dr Reddy's surgery not satisfied with the age of a cus- Fencing, Pergolas, • Water
was threatened by a fire deliber- tomer. But we can't stop people Planting New Softeners Fitted
ately started in an extension whilst it buying alcohol and passing it onto Gardens, Rockery
was being built. under age drinkers outside." • Washing Machines &
FreshbrookpharmarcistShushma Mr Ball has written to Swindon Construction, Dishwashers Installed
Patel had to wait over a year to get MJ' Simon Coombs, been in touch Crazy Paving etc.
planning permission to put up shut- with the police many times and has Tel: (0793) 642995
It
ters covering the pharmacy front en sent recommendations for re- ,. Tel: 875174 (W. Swindon)
window after it had been smashed ducing damage by the Crime Pre-
several times. She left its shattered vention Officer.
remains in place, held together by These include higher levels of
tape, for over 12 months. lighting around shops and in the car
She was given permission to put park, security cameras and remov-
up a full shutter over her front door ing seats which allow people to con-
but only a grill over the adjacent gregate.
window, leaving it vulnerable to Local councillor Sue Bates has
damage again, even though the take- been pressing for closed circuit TV
away a few yards away round the cameras to be mounted at thecentre.
corner has a full shutter over its Police hit squads, which tour the EASYMOVE FREE
frontage. town's trouble spots, visited Fresh- ESTIMATES
Mrs Patel, who has had to rein- brook Village Centre on a number of LOCAL . UK • EUROPEAN
force the pharmacy back door with occasions during late July and Au- SWINDON
steel after an attempted break-in, gust. A numberof arrests have been REMOVALS
says the cost of repairs could be too made and damage has slightly re- STORAGE 871715
much for businesses to bear. duced according to Brendan Ball.
TRANSPORT 10% OFF
HOUSEHOLD AND OFFICE MOVES FOR LINK READERS
Bingo
Every Sunday night. Doors open 7pm
Freshbrook Community Centre 20p admission, refreshments
For more information, phone 872450 JD UPHOLSTERY

Jumble Sale Jumble Sale • Repairs from £25 chair, £35 settee
Saturday 11 September, 2pm Saturday 2 October, 2pm • Recovering in your own fabric
Freshbrook Community Centre Freshbrook Community Centre or supplied by us
20p admission (children free) 20p admission (children free) • Antiques restored
In aid of GRW Majorettes In aid of the Freshbrook For • Large range of fabric
Donations welcome - phone Village Group estimates,
available
phone Swindon
872450 or 870996 Donations welcome - phone 539913 or 871808 eve.
872450 or 871017 J
or call in to
Indoor Boot Markets 9am - 12 noon Gilberts, 2 Marlborough Road, Swindon
You could save Lif by having
Every Sunday morning from 10 October
your upholstery repaired/restored
Freshbrook Community Centre
Pitches £5 each • Phone 871017 or 872450 C)
Refreshments on sale