A NEWLY opened store is offering a reward to anyone who can help catch burglars who stole £28,000 worth of goods.

The offenders struck at Go Outdoors in Saltney less than a fortnight after it officially opened.

Now store manager Simon Lee is issuing a £1,000 reward for details which could lead to a conviction for those responsible for the crime at the Saltney Retail Park store.

He said: “The burglary is a sickening blow to everyone at Chester Go Outdoors in Saltney and everyone in the area who has supported our efforts to bring this exciting new store to the area.

“Throughout the store launch process, we’ve been privileged to see the best in human nature and resilience to deliver a unique outdoor retail experience. And then this happens.

“We are now co-operating with police who have full access to our CCTV. We hope we’ll secure a conviction as soon as possible.

“The reward has been offered to focus the minds of anyone with information and speed the process.”

He added: “We wanted to give a clear message to criminals on behalf of all retailers we won’t lie down and take this.”

More than £28,000 worth of items were snatched, including mountain jackets by Rab, event and mountain equipment, plus pants by Paramo.

A North Wales Police spokesman said: “Police were called to the incident at 11.17pm on April 20, the burglars entered through the side door. CSI attended.”

Go Outdoors confirmed the development of the River Lane site and former Morrisons last October.

The site had been plagued by vandalism after laying unused for six year. Go Outdoors invested £1.5m in the new store, creating 40 jobs.

Anyone with information can call Mr Lee on 0845 155 2037 or North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 55 111.