Owner 'disappointed' after new business in Chard vandalised

Kerry Hole-Stuart, 47, owner of Transformations Hair, Beauty & Aesthetics, which relocated from Chard to Ilminster, has shared her disappointment after her shop windows were smashed in.

She told the Chard and Ilminster News that she first opened her doors in Chard on August 3, and on the morning of Wednesday, August 5, she was told her windows were broken.

She said: "We’d been working until late at night to open.

"We were fully booked, and everyone was really excited, and then that happened.

"I feel frustrated and annoyed.

"It’s really frustrating; we have invested in the building; we have moved a really successful business from Ilminster to Chard thinking it has got a great community spirit on the high street, and then to be knocked back like this, even if you try not to take it personally, in your mind you wonder ‘is it targeted at us’?"

Mrs Hole-Stuart described the incident as ‘mindless vandalism’ targeting a new business in the town and said it is ‘completely unacceptable’.

She said: "You think, ‘why am I bothering?’ I have quite a young team, and I want them to feel safe and comfortable at work.

"I don’t want them thinking if they were working a late night, they would have issues when leaving."

The space is set to become an Airbnb upstairs, with a salon and training academy for hair, beauty and aesthetics on the ground floors.

The official grand opening is planned for the end of September.

Ms Hole-Stuart is now seeking to raise awareness of a rise in crime in Chard, as she claims this incident was not isolated and highlights a need for increased police presence and CCTV.

She said: "It’s unbelievable, my family had a business in the town for over 40 years for over three generations, and they never experienced crime like that.

"I think there is definitely a lack of police presence patrolling the streets, and I think that the council have a responsibility to the members of the public to ensure that the cameras are working.

"There are no deterrents for people out causing trouble in the evening if there are no consequences."

Despite this, Ms Hole-Stuart has said her overall welcome into Chard has been amazing, and while this experience has been negative, she still has much to look forward to.

She said: "Apart from that, our welcome to Chard has been amazing.

"We have had people thanking us for making the high street look better.

"This has unfortunately been an expensive negative.

"It’s sad; it really is sad."

Adam Dance MP for South Somerset and Yeovil has called this incident 'completely unacceptable' and said it 'reflects wider concerns' he has heard from other business owners in Chard about crime and antisocial behaviour.

He said: “Since speaking with the owner, I have raised these concerns directly with both the police and the council, including making the case for proper CCTV provision in Chard.

“Our independent businesses work incredibly hard and deserve to feel safe and supported. I will continue working with the police, council and local community to push for practical action that helps protect Chard’s businesses and town centre.”

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We have received a report of criminal damage after a window of a business premises was damaged in Chard.

"The incident happened at some point on Tuesday 4 August or Wednesday 5 August.

"Anyone with information can contact us online, or on 101, quoting reference number 5226219397."

Chard Town Council has been approached for comment and has said a meeting has been arranged for September 14 to discuss this.