Roadside cafe stolen from lay-by

Brazen thieves have stolen an entire roadside cafe from its site during the night. They are believed to have used a lorry and crane to lift the converted cabin from a Keighley lay-by.

But the theft has left Michelle Palmer’s business – and livelihood – in ruins. She said she was horrified to discover early yesterday that her cafe had vanished from the lay-by off Halifax Road, Cross Roads.

Miss Palmer, 25, of Dawson Road, Keighley, said the devastating blow had come only months after she had bought her first house. She said the cafe must have been lifted on to a wagon and appealed for anyone who might have seen it to contact the police.



Miss Palmer had run her business, selling breakfasts and sandwiches, for four years from a mobile van before moving it to the stationary cafe a year ago. She said: “I have put everything into it. It was my only source of income, so I’m thinking what about my mortgage and everything?

“I feel absolutely gutted – what am I going to do next? I have built it up from nothing and now it’s been taken over-night. It annoys me the fact that I put so much effort into it and some horrible person just takes whatever they want or need.”

The distinctive green cabin is 20ft long and 8ft wide, has a blue roof and carries the name of the business, Tip Top Tasters.