A QUIRKY clothing store has been forced to chain its display mannequins after an attempted theft.

Jamboree & Kooky Too in Southbourne is known for its variety of stock and unique, colourful display mannequins.

Co-owner, Ruth Perry, spent a week hand-painting the displays in hopes of making her business stand out and draw customers in.

(Image: Newsquest)

However, after an incident last month Ruth has been forced to chain her much-loved mannequins to the store.

“I wasn’t in the shop, it was my business partner and she saw a woman walk past and say ‘I really like that’ before a man said ‘I reckon I could carry it,” said Ruth.

The pair attempted to lift the mannequin before Ruth’s business partner, Caron Rutter, stepped in.

(Image: Newsquest)

“We are not a big faceless chain of shops, we are independent,” said Ruth.

“We need to pay our mortgages or dance lessons for our kids.

“When stealing from independents you are stealing from us personally.”

Ruth said they are lucky that Southbourne is a “lovely community” but have faced thefts in the past such as two teenage girls stealing a t-shirt from the shop.

“£5 is nothing to a chain store but on a day when you don’t make much, it can make the difference of being profitable.”

She added that people have offered to buy the mannequins off her in the past for £400 but Ruth turned them down.

“They are part of the shop and part of what drives the business.”

Jamboree & Kooky Too stock a range of new clothing, pre-loved designer, accessories and homeware.

The store, which was previously a laundrette, was created after Ruth moved to the area from Edinburgh and found Bournemouth was lacking ‘quirky stores’.

It was originally based in a different unit before moving to their current site around one year ago.

She said they try to be “very unique and quirky” while also stocking products from local small businesses.

Jamboree & Kooky Too is based on Wentworth Avenue in Southbourne and is open Monday to Sunday.