Food truck owner vows to ‘keep fighting' after van destroyed by vandals
Robert Green said he was 'trying to salvage' what was left of his businesses after vandals broke into his food truck in June, smashing the van's windows, cutting electricity wires, and stealing cooking equipment.
The 65-year-old bought the converted prison van during the Covid-19 pandemic at the cost of £20,000 before selling Caribbean food in Shirley, telling the Echo he had put all his money into the business venture.
Almost two months on since the food truck was vandalised, Robert said he 'won't stop' trying to fully restore the van but estimates he'll need £5,000 to do so.
So far, Robert has managed to repair the vehicle's broken windscreen with the help of a 'good Samaritan.'
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Robert Green (Image: Newsquest) Speaking to the Echo, he said: 'I don't want to see the money I invested into the business go to waste, my mum left me £10,000 when she died and it allowed me to buy the van.
'If I know something can be done, I won't stop.
'I'm 65-years old, nobody is going to hand me a job at my age, whatever I know it's self-taught, I just need some help to get back up and running, because I'm worried, I'm going to lose the van.'
Last year, Robert managed to regain his van after it was seized because he couldn't afford to pay the insurance and had been living in the van for a short time.
Robert now fears his van will be towed if he's unable to move it from Cambridge Road in Portswood, where he's been issued with a parking ticket.
He said: 'I've called the DVLA, but they've warned they'll tow my vehicle if it's on the road, as it has no insurance.
'I've already received one parking ticket, it's a difficult situation because I never expected my van would be vandalised.
'I was saving money to pay for the insurance and now I'm faced with having to find more money to sort everything.
'I'm a good person and have prided myself on being in the community and helping people and offered free meals to those who need them.
'I've got nothing else to my name except this van.'
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