A bar and bistro is to reopen today after a break-in during which staff's tips were stolen.

Absolute Bar & Bistro in Westhoughton, was targeted on Tuesday January 23 at around 2.45am.

John McGinlay says that some of the staff who work there had their tips stolen after they had been saving them up, as well as some of the till float being stolen.

There was also some minor damage to the kitchen window.

Some of the stock  was also taken and said John the thieves ‘made a mess’ of the venue.

John said: “The cleaner went in and saw that everything was all over the place.

The Bolton News: “It’s very disappointing, and it’s the last thing we need in January, especially for restaurants because it is tough.

“I feel bad for the girls and it’s annoying because they had been building their tips up.

“For people to take them doesn’t seem fair.”

Read our top stories below:

John has reported this to police and handed over the CCTV to the police.

Absolute Bar & Bistro will officially reopen at 1pm today.

John said: “We just carry on and keep on doing what we do.

“We have a new menu coming out soon and so it’s onwards and upwards.”

John took over the bar and bistro in November 2022 and introduced its European style tapas menus.

When he opened the bar and bistro, he wanted the bar to play a key part in the nightlife in Westhoughton.

As part of the relaunch the venue underwent a huge refurbishment.

John previously worked at the Waggon & Horses in Westhoughton and also runs The Victoria Pub next door.

To follow updates on the venue, visit their official social media channels.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.