Nottingham restaurant bosses have spoken of their frustration after a window was smashed by someone walking down the street in the early hours. The incident happened at Paris Bar and Restaurant, in High Pavement, in the Lace Market, around 4.15am on Thursday, June 1.
It's no secret that restaurants are having a tough time due to energy costs, rising prices and people eating out less often the cost of living crisis forces them to tighten their belts, so the incident has just added to the frustration of restaurateur Antony Crossman and his nephew, chef James. They recently had to deal with the sadness of closing their other restaurant Petit Paris, which had been going for nearly 30 years.
One of the small windows of the Georgian building was broken after the person, who was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, appeared to smash it with his bare elbow. The incident was captured on CCTV.
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General manager Beki Gilbert said: "We have a plaque outside the restaurant with information about the listed building and it looks like he tried to yank that off first and because he's frustrated he put his elbow straight through the window. He looks to see if anyone has seen him and then carries on walking.
"it's just mindless vandalism. We have financial things to deal with and some idiot decides he wants to put his elbow through the window, which is just in front of one of tables. It shattered into the restaurant. When he walks off he doesn't seem fazed by his arm. He just looks back over his shoulder to see if anyone has seen but he doesn't look down at his arm.
"We have phoned the police but there's not a great deal they can do. I know the police have got a lot to deal with and a broken window at a restaurant isn't top priority but it's frustrating that people can just go around and break windows. I don't think it's fair or right for anyone to think it's ok to go and vandalise or destroy anybody's property."
Antony Crossman added: “The vast majority of restaurants are finding trading conditions very challenging at the moment and we can certainly do without matters like property violence to deal with. The cost of living crisis is hitting the restaurant hard and we could certainly do without the additional costs and disheartenment that our fabulous staff faced when opening up yesterday morning.
"Perhaps if the gentleman concerned now feels bad about his actions and would feel embarrassed to ‘pop in’ to make good the costs, then I suggest he simply comes for some meals and drinks to help our trade in general. We believe we serve some of the finest food in Nottingham and it is a shame we are having to comment on matters like this."
It is believed it will cost around £200 to have the window repaired. The video has been posted on the restaurant's Facebook page with the message: "Restaurants are having a bad enough time of it as it is, so thanks to the young man for breaking our front window last night.
"If you recognise yourself (or anyone knows him), you might want to pop by and offer to make good the repair costs. Please share and help us find the culprit."
Nottinghamshire Police has been contacted for a response.
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