West Lothian retailer offers cash reward after break-in delays opening of new store

A break-in at Zen Vape and Smoke Supplies’ new premises in the Houston Industrial Estate, in Livingston, West Lothian, has delayed the store’s grand opening, scheduled for tomorrow (8 January).

The incident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, caused extensive damage to the store’s entrance, locking the business out of the property and halting progress on the site.

The intruders targeted a stockpile of fireworks, making off with rockets, Roman candles, and blue smoke bombs. The store is offering a cash reward for information leading to the identification of those responsible, urging the public to report any suspicious activities involving the sale of fireworks in the area.

“We're asking if anyone has information on boys who are trying to sell fireworks or have came into a large amount through suspicious means,” the business said in a Facebook post.

The damage has forced the shop to remain at its current Bathgate location, which had been scheduled to close after New Year’s to facilitate the move.

In a social media update on Sunday, Zen Vape announced that the Bathgate store would reopen temporarily on 6 January, to serve customers while repairs are carried out at the new Livingston property. The company highlighted the financial toll of the incident, noting that repair costs have added “thousands of pounds” to the relocation budget.

“We would really appreciate it, if you guys could still shop with us. As the repairs have added thousands of pounds on to the move to our new shop,” the post read.

Zen Vape and Smoke Supplies had announced its move to the larger Livingston premises in November 2024 after a year of rapid growth in Bathgate. The new location was chosen to increase stock capacity, expand the product range, and facilitate the launch of an online store.

The break-in is under investigation.

“Around 11.30am on Wednesday, 1 January, 2025, we received a report of a break-in to and theft from a premises on Grange Road, Livingston. Enquiries are ongoing,” a Police Scotland spokesperson said.