**Newport Barber Counts Cost After Vandalism Damages Shop Window**
A small business owner in Newport has been left “gutted” after vandals targeted his independent barbershop, resulting in significant damage and financial pressure. Jamie Cork, proprietor of Jay’s Barbers, arrived to find his front window shattered and a brick inside his premises on the morning of Saturday, 5 July.
Mr. Cork, who runs the establishment on his own, told reporters he was shocked by the wanton attack. Having built up his business from scratch just over a year ago, he says he had never encountered such issues until now. “It really caught me off guard,” he remarked. “I’ve not had any problems since opening, so waking up to this was an awful surprise.”
The incident occurred sometime between the evening of Friday, 4 July, after normal closing time at 6pm, and the following morning, when Mr. Cork returned for his usual early shift. “I was picked up by my cousin as we’d planned to cut his hair. As we drove past, I noticed the window was completely smashed in,” he explained, still clearly distraught by the event. “I was just gutted. When you run a small business on your own, the last thing you expect is having to deal with this sort of damage.”
The vandalism is believed to be part of a wider spate of criminal activity in the region. According to Mr. Cork, information shared on social media suggests that other local business premises, as well as homes in the Newport area, have also been targeted recently. This has understandably raised concerns among independent business owners and the local community alike.
The damage extends beyond just aesthetics. The shop front window, crucial for advertising Jay’s Barbers, bore the shop’s name, logo, contact details, and Instagram handle. Without a formal sign above the door, Mr. Cork relied on this clear, welcoming display to attract customers. He now faces the dual blow of losing a key marketing tool and the expense of repairs, as he’s been forced to have the broken window boarded up temporarily while arranging for a replacement.
“I’ve left the window open so people know I’m still here and trading,” Jamie said, determined not to let the vandalism impact his business any more than it already has. He estimates the cost of the damage, including emergency boarding, will run into the hundreds of pounds—a significant sum for a sole trader in a challenging economic climate.
Despite the setback, the barbershop has remained open for business as usual. Newport police are actively investigating the incident. A spokesperson for Gwent Police confirmed, “We received a call on 5 July regarding criminal damage at a business premises where a window had been smashed. The offence occurred sometime between 6pm on 4 July and 8am on 5 July. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Members of the public who may have witnessed suspicious activity or possess relevant information are urged to come forward. Witnesses can contact Gwent Police by calling 101 and quoting the reference 2500213133, message the force via Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), or reach out online. For those wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
The incident has cast a shadow of anxiety over independent retailers in the area, highlighting the vulnerability faced by small businesses when targeted by vandals. With the community and police working together, there is hope that those responsible will be brought to justice, and that measures may be put in place to help prevent similar attacks in the future.
For now, Mr. Cork’s story serves as a painful reminder of the resilience required to run a small business in today’s world, but also of the importance of local support during trying times.