A CITY CENTRE guitar shop is at risk of shutting down after “cruel” thieves ransacked their premises of £30,000 worth of equipment.

Strung out Guitars, in King’s Court, has seen competitor businesses rally in support behind them after the shock robbery last Saturday.

“If we don’t get our insurance payout, this business is gone. This business will shut down,” co-owner Louise Carruthers said.

Glasgow Times: Louise Carruthers is the co-owner of Strung out Guitars and employee Paul RobertsonLouise Carruthers is the co-owner of Strung out Guitars and employee Paul Robertson

Thieves made off with 12 rare guitars after gaining access to the store through its steel-reinforced ceiling.

The brazen incident came just two days after the shop reopened as Glasgow eased into level three restrictions.

Cops arrived at the scene within ten minutes of the robbers setting off the alarm but they had already made off along the railway line above the store.

Louise was greeted by “devastation” inside the store which has been trading in the area since 2003 after rushing to the premises straight out of bed.

Glasgow Times: The independent store has been open in the area since 2003.The independent store has been open in the area since 2003.

“The shop was ripped apart, there was stock everywhere,” she said. “And then there was this ladder left there and that is how I could see how they got out.”

She explained it must have taken them hours to get in through the steel ceiling.

But the rare guitars they made off with will be near impossible to sell as the entire UK music business is on the lookout for them.

READ MORE: Brazen thieves steal £30,000 worth of guitars from Strung Out Guitars

Louise said: “They took really stupid guitars to sell. They took the highest valued items that are going to be the hardest possible things to sell on which is good.

“They obviously don’t know about guitars.”

One of the stolen guitars, the NK Forster Model C is the only model of its kind, handmade by English maker Nigel Forster and is worth £3999.

“There are no other examples of this guitar and it is just the one.

“It is hard for us to sell it as a guitar shop so how robbers are going to sell it I have no idea.”

Among other stolen guitars include a £3999 Santa Cruz Tony Rice Model (USA 1994) and a Gibson Custom Shop 356 (USA 2008).

But Louise has been blown away by the support of fellow Glasgow music stores which shared the appeal to look out for the stolen merchandise.

READ MORE: Trio of thugs break into house and threaten owners with weapons amid 'terrifying' raid

“The whole of the UK music community is looking out for these. We didn’t even have to contact them, they all did it themselves.

“All the guitar shops in Glasgow rallied behind us. We are meant to be in competition but they are not. They did as much as possible to help.”

The community spirit of the industry has “overwhelmed” both Louise and co-owner Paula Russell.

A full list of the stolen guitars is available HERE

Police enquires are ongoing into the robbery, a spokesman for the force said.

DC Chris Stewart said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious around the time of this incident or who may be offered guitars for sale to get in touch.”

If you have any information contact 101, citing incident 4444 of December 12.