Theft misery

A YOUNG designer is counting the cost after thieves stole clothing worth hundreds of pounds from his new shop.

Neil Cooper, 27, opened Repooc Couture in Seaview Road, Liscard, in June and specialises in selling clothes from his own label, Neil Paul Cooper, as well as made to measure.

The Liverpool John Moores University graduate was in his workshop at the back of the shop on the evening of Saturday, September 3, when the thieves struck, escaping with four items totalling £350.

The theft came just a day after a £150 dress - the most expensive item on sale - was taken from Liscard clothing store Toko.

Neil, who grew up in More-ton but now lives in Oxton, recently returned to Wirral from London to follow his dream of owning his own shop. He says the theft left him devastated.

He said: "It's just awful. A sum of £350 might not seem like a lot of money but things are difficult enough without something like this happening. I've been working hard to put my label on the shop floor. It's been difficult to keep up the pace, so the last thing I need is someone stealing my stock.

"It was 5.30pm, literally on closing time, and I turned to speak to my sister, who was in the back of the shop. I heard a noise but the door had been open so I assumed it was just the hangers being blown by the draught and clanging together. It wasn't until a few minutes later that I realised a whole rail of clothing next to the door was missing."

The items stolen were a leopardskin print dress, two dresses in the same style made with blue fabric and white leather, and a grey lace corset. The leopardskin dress was recently featured in the fashion pages of a regional newspaper and the same design was modelled in a fashion show by Hollyoaks actress Sarah Dunn.

Police say the theft was most likely carried out by opportunists and have warned Neil that, without a description of the thieves, he has little chance of getting his stock back.

Neil added: "This is a setback but it was always my dream to have my own little shop and I won't let it stop me."