A York amenity that relies on the trust of its customers has been completely ransacked.
The Trust Hut, located by Naburn Station on the Selby to York Cycle Track, serves snacks, hot and cold drinks, and refreshments for customers to pay as they feel towards.
As there’s nobody consistently manning the hut, the site is occasionally targeted by thieves. However, owner Audrey Harmer has never experienced a raid quite like this one.
She said, “Nearly everything has gone, cups, kitchen storage boxes, tea, coffee, and sugar holders, milk, a full jar of coffee, a drinks dispenser, even the dog drinking bowl.”
The food donation box and money safe was also ripped apart, and their contents emptied.
Audrey discovered the Trust Hut had been ransacked yesterday morning (Thursday) when she arrived to replenish stock.
She suspects the incident occurred on Monday or Tuesday (24 – 25 March).
The setback came at a time when things were starting to look up for Audrey, following a tough month that left her questioning whether the Trust Hut could continue.
As previously reported, the cycle route charity Sustrans threatened to relinquish the lease on the site in February.
Living locally, Audrey has managed the Trust Hut for 14 years and said the news wasn’t easy to receive.
Fortunately, Sustrans reached out to Audrey around two weeks ago, offering their help to get the site back up and running.
She told YorkMix, “Sustrans turned the table and said they would help me sort it out, which was brilliant.
“They cleaned it all up and took away a load of rubbish for me, which helped a lot.
“I’d really like to thank them for reconsidering the Trust Hut.”
Following the raid, Audrey posted an update to The Bishopthorpe Community Page on Facebook, asking for donations.
Happily regular Trust Hut customers and locals have rallied around to help replenish the site since her post.
“One man even gave me a £20 note!” Audrey told YorkMix.
She understands that times are tough for everyone, but assures that she’d be more than happy to provide as many free drinks and snacks as she has the capacity to offer. She just can’t take another hit.
Audrey stocks the Trust Hut using her own money, and fears for the future of the amenity if incidents like this continue.
“It makes my heart sink,” she added.
Some members of the public have suggested installing CCTV cameras to monitor the area, but Audrey feels this goes against the whole point of the Trust Hut.
“It’s probably the only place in the world that hasn’t got it. It goes against the grain, so I won’t be doing that,” she said.