A shaken shopkeeper may quit after a second armed robbery.
Mrs Anoop Kaur Lola has spoken of her terrifying ordeal after two masked raiders armed with knives entered her store in Newsome.
Brave Mrs Lola, 53, was working behind the counter at Close Hill Food Centre when she was confronted by the robbers in broad daylight.
And it was the second time in two months that the shopkeeper has been threatened and she revealed she is now considering quitting the family run business of 35-years.
Mrs Lola, who was not physically injured, said: “I was behind the counter and two masked men came in carrying knives.
“One of them came up beside me and held the knife out and the other one came round the other side and also had a knife.
“They shouted at me to give them money.
“I opened the till but there was only £15 or £20 in it because I had just cashed up as my daughter was coming to take over from me.
“I handed over the cash and they shouted they wanted more and so I gave them a banking bag with £500 in it.”
Mrs Lola was shaking as she recalled the traumatic attack but has continued working in the shop but not alone.
She continued: “My body is still shaken. They had two big knives with wide blades and block handles.
“I can still see their eyes in my head, staring back at me from their balaclavas.
“It was over in minutes. All I kept thinking was to just give them the money as I didn’t want to be hurt.
“The phone rang in the shop, just after I had given the money. I don’t think that disturbed them but they may have gone quicker.
“I’ve been here 35 years and this is the second time in a few months I’ve been threatened. I love working in the shop but I’ve had enough.
“We couldn’t shut it straight away, but I don’t want anyone else threatening me with a knife.
“After such a long time running the shop, I know so many people and this is a local shop in a family area.”
But Mrs Lola said she fears the attacks won’t stop because they know there is money.
She added: “They know there will be money here. Why would they stop?”
Police have continued enquiries following the robbery at 2.55pm on Sunday. The suspects stole cash and cigarettes.
Anyone with any information should call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
