AUSTRALIA STOLEN COMPUTER CAUSES SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR BUSINESS OWNER Business at risk after theft | Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania: "October 23, 2006 01:00am
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A WEEKEND burglary could have a huge impact on the future of a new Hobart business.

Undertone owner Jade Barker fears the break-in at her Elizabeth St cafe and music business could see it struggle to survive.

Thieves broke in on Friday night and stole items including a cash box and laptop computer.

Ms Barker said both could be replaced -- but the information on the computer could not.

The laptop contained all of Undertone's business records, which were all ready for the accountant to lodge their GST return.

Ms Barker says she was relying on the money from the GST to pay a number of her creditors and get the business on a sound footing.

'We opened in May, but had been renovating since last November, so for a long time there was nothing coming in,' Ms Barker said.

'Since May we've been sorting out the GST to help cover the debts we have racked up.'

She said this week was supposed to be an exciting time, reaching a milestone by paying off people who had helped her get off the ground.

'Instead, it's really disappointing, and I don't know how we can recover,' she said.

Ms Barker said Undertone was set up to promote local music."I really need the MYOB (business program) information back, it has such a huge impact on us," she said.

"That laptop really was the lifeblood of this business."

Detective Constable Gavin Cashion, of Hobart CIB, said the burglars got away with more about $8700 worth of goods and cash from the business.

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