The owner of a takeaway restaurant in Bicester has said he was devastated after his shop was vandalised, leaving his father traumatised.

Mohammed Noor, who runs Nadia’s Indian Takeaway on Holm Square, went to open the restaurant on Sunday when he found the window had been smashed.

Mr Noor says he was doing his best to keep the small family-run business going amid the drastic changes that have happened as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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He has offered NHS workers free meals off a selection of Indian chicken dishes to show his support and said he was stunned that his shop had been targeted.

He said: “Our shop was vandalised – how very sad and upsetting especially in these circumstances. It has left us all very upset as we are a small, family-run business.

“I’ve been trading here for the last 10 years and we have never experienced anything like this. We are doing our best and also supporting NHS staff and this is what we get in return.”

Oxford Mail:

Mr Noor said he reported the incident to the police and has CCTV footage that identifies the culprits.

He added: “It is a police matter now and it’s under investigation. We’re just waiting for the officer to come down and take a statement and see the CCTV footage.

“Hopefully they will get arrested and charged and hopefully they will pay for the damage – we know who it is.”

The restaurant owner said his 60-year-old father was ‘shaken-up’ by the incident and did not like working there anymore.

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He said: “My dad feels traumatised by what happened. He’s scared to go there alone. I don’t want this happening to anyone else especially in this circumstance.

“We need to help each other in this critical time.”

Many small businesses in Bicester remain open and are operating as takeaway or delivery services instead.

It comes after Boris Johnson ordered all restaurants and shops selling ‘non-essential’ items to close, but those that can operate as takeaway can continue.

If you would like to support Nadia's, call 01869 246311.