A POPULAR Clydebank shopkeeper says he is in the “right place” after the public response to an attack on his business.

Joe Walker Flooring had a window put in and an accelerant was found while shop-owner was on holiday in Florida with his family.

Police are still appealing for information to find vandals who tried to set the shop on fire at 1am on May 26, potentially threatening the flats above the Dumbarton Road business.

Mr Walker said he has been touched by the support from customers, particularly given all the work his has put into the shop since he opened last August.

The father of two said: “I work like a mad man - six months, seven days a week and one day off a month. I put my name on the business so people can find it and people are fiercely loyal.

“To try to be personal and different from everybody else - it's been reflected back ten-fold. I have a big friends and family base but people messaging has been amazing.

“It's encouraging that you're in the right place.”

Mr Walker said the hours of work in the first year have been a challenge, particularly for his two children, aged nine and 13. That’s why he tried to compensate by taking the family on holiday to Florida, only for the attack to happen while abroad.

He said: “People might automatically think, ‘he must have done something’ but I would cost myself to make a customer happy. It’s more frustrating when it appears to be random. I'm desperate for the police to find out who did this, especially when you think how serious it could have been.”

He added: “When you're 18-21 all you think about is going out at the weekend. This business is all for my kids.”

Police Scotland said they were still investigating and anyone with information on the attack should contact them on the non-emergency 101 number or through Crimestoppers.