A BUSINESS has suffered a devastating financial blow after 99 per cent of its stock was stolen - including more than £10,000 worth of Yankee Candles.

WJN Supplies, in Newton Aycliffe, was targeted sometime between 10am on Monday and 7.30am on Tuesday when offenders stole around 754 jars of the pricey candles valued together at £10,375.

Dog food, collars leads and coats were also swiped during the break-in at the factory shop on Whinbank Road, on Aycliffe Industrial Park.

Managing director Wally Nattrass today told The Northern Echo the items stolen made up almost the entirety of his stock.

He said: “They (the candles) were exactly what they were after. All they came for was the candles and the pet food. As far as value they are the most valuable.

“It’s going to take a while to get any insurance claim through and will take a while to get the stock back. It will have an impact on the future.”

Including the damage caused the break-in has left him £12,000 out of pocket. The businessman, who sells items to the public from the warehouse, added he believed the burglary was a professional job

Police said suspects cut a lock on a main gate to get onto a compound and broke into two units - WJN Supplies and Smiths Timber.

Despite cutting through a padlock and forcing a door, nothing was taken from the second unit.

Mr Nattrass said he might also have to foot the bill for a new server as the company’s was ripped apart and the hard drive pulled out.

  • Anyone with information about the burglary or whereabouts of the products should call Newton Aycliffe Police on 101.