A CORNER shop may close after a worker was stabbed five times in a robbery.

The 24-year-old man had only worked at The Unit on Cheyney Road for four weeks when he was attacked as he closed the shop at 9.57pm on Saturday.

He endured five hours of surgery after being stabbed three times in the back, across the face and through his ear, causing a wound to his throat and mouth.

The attacker stole £600 cash from the shop till but police believe money was not the main motive for the crime.

Owner Chris Harris is now thinking of converting the shop, which last year suffered an attempted robbery, into a bistro.

In April last year, another worker Katie Cleminson, 20, refused to hand over cash to a would-be robber as he threatened her with a 10-inch knife. She called CCTV managers on the radio and described the armed man standing in front of her.

Mr Harris said of the latest attack: 'I have owned pubs for many years and I have never seen anything like this.

'When we bought the shop we thought we would turn it into a wine bar but we never got round to it and it stayed a shop.

'Now though I can't ask people to work here alone and the shop doesn't make enough money to have two staff all the time.

'We have a panic button and a good CCTV system. But there was nothing he could have done to stop this attack happening - there was no warning, the man just lunged at him and wouldn't let him get away.'

The attacker grabbed cash from the till then fled, leaving the victim to rouse help from passing students.

Mr Harris said: 'He went across the road and knocked on doors, then somebody walked around the corner and used his shirt to stop the bleeding and called 999.

'The ambulance was there within seven minutes. We can't thank the students who helped him enough.'

Mr Harris said a staff member called him at his home above the Egerton Arms on Brook Street, where he is landlord.

'They said the road was sealed off and our staff member had been stabbed,' he said. 'I went straight down there but never imagined it was life-threatening.

'They were worried that our employee might die, so they sealed off the shop and road for forensic work. When we got into the shop the next day there was blood everywhere - all over the floor, up the walls, over the fridge.

'We were in tears watching the CCTV footage - he is so lucky to be alive.'

The victim is still recovering in the Countess of Chester Hospital following the attack but should be released in the next few days.

DC Gary Morris, of Chester Specialist Investigation Unit, said: 'We are keen to speak to any witnesses who were in the area at the time.

'We know a gentleman on a bike cycled past the victim as he was asking for help.'

* Mark Nicholson, 37, of no fixed address, appeared in Chester Magistrates Court on Monday charged with robbery and grievous bodily harm with intent. His case was sent to Chester Crown Court, where he is due to appear on Monday.

* If you have any information on the incident, call DC Morris on 01244 613134.

rebecca.taylor@cheshirenews.co.uk