'We're just a food place trying to get by...' South Manchester diner's heartbreaking statement after incident

A restaurant and takeaway in south Manchester serving American diner food has been broken into twice in the last six months - leaving owners to spend thousands on repairs and installing more security measures.

Fire & Ice on North Western Street, just off the A6, in Levenshulme was burgled in the early hours of September 17, where the restaurant’s shutters and door were broken into with loose change stolen from the till.

Whilst only £20 was stolen during the burglary, more than £1,500 worth of damage was caused to the premises. Owners behind the business said the incident occurred just a few weeks after a similar incident - and they've had to now fork out more than £7,000 in total over repairs.

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“This is the second time in six months that some low lives have forced entry into our shop and taken what we have worked hard for,” the restaurant posted on Facebook. “Are there any other businesses experiencing this in the area?

“As a small business we are already working our hardest to make sure we can keep up with the rising costs, but then to have to have our belongings taken from us and our premises damaged, it’s very disheartening…”

Speaking to the M.E.N, co-owner Ziaa Haq said he has been left baffled as to why they have been targeted by burglars. He said they have been burgled three times in total, with the first instance happening in 2021 when the restaurant was broken into and a till, microwave and milkshake machine were all stolen.

“I don’t know who’s got it in for us or whether they think we keep gold on our premises,” Ziaa told the M.E.N. “We’re just a