THE owner of a popular town centre cafe has considered leaving the town after being targeted by vandals.

Alex McVey, owner of Odessa in Exchange Street, said he was frustrated and angry that his business keeps being vandalised.

The latest incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, August 28 ,when the window was smashed by a passer-by at 3.30am.

Mr McVey said: “I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. It seems to be happening every bank holiday.

“It is just mindless vandalism. There is nothing for them to take but it keeps happening.”

CCTV footage from the shop showed a man approach the premises and kick the window in before walking off.

Mr McVey, who has owned the shop for 15 years, said he was at a loss as to what he could do.

He added: “The glass cutters already have our glass cut for us ready, that is how many times it has happened.

“The problem is we can’t put shutters on the outside because it is a listed building and the price of putting shutters inside is astronomical.

“I don’t take much time off so I really look forward to my bank holidays and I have had to go in on the last few bank holidays now to clean up.

“It doesn’t really seem very fair that I have to keep coming in when I should be off and cleaning up after senseless vandals.”

The business owner said he would like to see more street lighting in the area.

The 33-year-old said: “I’m not sure what to do any more, I do feel a bit vulnerable to it happening again. I don’t think the street lighting is sufficient around here, especially in winter.

“I would hope that I could get some help from the council but I have already had to pay for CCTV myself so I’m not sure how much help they can give me.

“I have thought about setting up a petition, I’m just at a loss. What we really need is shutters on the outside but that isn’t an option.”

Businesses around the area were also targeted earlier in the year when several shops and premises were broken in to or vandalised.

In early April, there were 15 burglaries in just 10 days.

In one incident five burglars raided Odessa and Howcrofts Cooked Meats in Exchange Street.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We are currently conducting a trial of improved LED lighting in Nelson Square and if this is proven to support overall reductions in crime and ASB, we will be rolling it out to other locations in the town centre.”

Anybody with information should contact the police on 101.