Mum devastated as Always & Forever Bridal Boutique vandalised

Launching in Dentons Green back in 2006, Clare Morris has helped thousands of women find their perfect wedding dress with 'Always & Forever Bridal Boutique' over the years.

Moving over to Vincent Street just outside of St Helens town centre in 2019, Clare has continued to grow her business and client list but awoke to the news that the shop window had been smashed and the business broken into on Saturday, June 29.

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Clare awoke to learn that her bridal shop had been vandalised and broken into (Image: Clare Morris)
While Clare was shocked to learn that someone had forced entry and "ransacked" the shop, she said that only an Alexa speaker and an old iPhone were taken as she leaves no cash in the premises overnight.

Due to the damage caused and police investigation, the business was forced to close until the following Wednesday and all appointments had to be cancelled and rearranged.

However, after building up such a trusted reputation in the town, Clare said that her customers were incredibly understanding and she did not lose any business.

In fact, the mum-of-two said that people have been "fantastic" as dozens have sent messages of support while others have asked if they could do anything practical to help her in her time of need.

This is what Clare means when she says there is a "fantastic community spirit" in St Helens, where "the good far outweighs the bad".

Clare said that the shop was 'ransacked' as if someone was looking for valuables (Image: Clare Morris)
Clare, 40, from Sutton, said: "Although this incident highlights that there are bad people in the town, we have been absolutely overwhelmed with the amazing support from local residents around the business and our customers both past and present.

"Everyone has wanted to show their support or offer their help and it has shown the fantastic community spirit in the town.

"It shows that the good people of St Helens far outweigh the bad - the overwhelming majority are lovely people who just want to help!".

Clare with her mum (Image: Clare Morris)
Despite the forensic investigation and clean-up operation that followed the break in, Clare reopened Always and Forever on Wednesday, July 3, and hopes that she can continue helping brides-to-be for years to come.

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for information following an incident in St Helens on Saturday, June 29.

2At around 2.30am, it was reported that a male caused damage to a shop on Vincent Street. He also entered the premises, but no items were reported taken."

If you have any information about this incident, you can call 101 or DM @MerPolCC on social media, quoting reference number 24000571180.

Clare launched Always and Forever 18 years ago (Image: Clare Morris)