Newmarket Nationwide could be set to re-open following ramraid

Work is progressing at the Newmarket branch of Nationwide ahead of its proposed re-opening next week.

The High Street building society was the scene of devastation last month when ramraiders used a JCB to smash part of its frontage and steal its cash machine.

The raid caused massive damage to the historic Grade II listed building, once home to Musks butchers, makers of Newmarket’s famous sausage, and adorned with intricate Victorian tile work and decorative pillars, one of which was badly damaged.

After the incident the shop front was completely boarded up but today workmen were busy inside the branch and all the hoarding had been removed except that covering the area where the cash machine had been.

Nationwide initially advised its hundreds of Newmarket customers, who needed to use branch counter service to go to other branches in the surrounding area, including Ely and Bury St Edmunds.

Police are still hunting the masked raiders. It is believed the incident could be linked to similar raids in the area including one at Soham’s Hall Street Londis store in November where a similar JCB telehandler was used to smash the front of the store.

It has not been confirmed how much cash was stolen from the Newmarket branch but it is believed it could be more than £100,000.