08-07-2025
Small business owner 'gutted' as vandals target shop
Small business owner 'gutted' as vandals target shop
A Welsh business owner faces being hundreds of pounds out of pocket after finding his shop 'smashed in'
A Newport-based business found itself the target of a vandal
(Image: Jay's Barbers )
An independent barber has been left counting the cost after his shop window was smashed in with a brick in a targeted act of vandalism.
Jamie Cork, owner of Jay's Barbers in Newport, arrived at his shop on Saturday, July 5, to find the front window shattered and a brick left inside. The small business has been running for just over a year, without any previous issues.
"I have never had any problems at all, so it caught me off guard," Jamie shared. "Since this has happened, I have been made aware that another business has had similar problems and it has been said on social media that some homes have been targeted in the area too."
Jamie had closed the shop as usual at 6pm on Friday, July 4. When returning for his shift at 8am the following day, he discovered the damage. "My cousin had picked me up as I was cutting his hair. We drove past and I noticed that the window was smashed in.
"I was just gutted," he said. "It's a small business and I work alone - it's just not something you expect to turn up to." Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here
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He added that the window had played a key role in promoting the business. "I don't have a sign above the shop, so the window displayed all my details - the name, logo, contact, Instagram - and was a way to welcome people in. I've been leaving my window open now, just to show people that I am open."
The cost of the damage, in addition to having the window boarded up, is estimated at hundreds of pounds. Despite the incident, the shop remains open for business as police investigate.
The damage to the window, in addition to the temporary board will likely cost Jamie hundreds of pounds
(Image: Jay's Barbers )
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A spokesperson for Gwent Police, said: "We had a call on 5 July reporting criminal damage where a window had been smashed. It happened sometime between 6pm on 4 July and 8am on 5 July.
"An investigation is ongoing, anyone with any information can call Gwent Police on 101, quoting 2500213133, you can direct message on Facebook or X, or contact police online. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit
