A WELSHPOOL coffee shop insists it will not be cowered by vandals, after being hit for the second time in five months.

Coco Coffee House, based in the heart of the town, lambasted the “idiotic vandal” who smashed a window at the front of the shop. The damage is believed to have been caused overnight on Friday (May 14) with owners posting pictures of the damage on their Facebook page on Saturday afternoon. And they insist “this vandalism will not defeat us”.

“To the idiotic vandal who smashed our window numerous times. It is not in any way acceptable,” they said in their Facebook post.

“The police have been and investigated, and to whomever did this, you are on CCTV and you will be prosecuted.

“If anyone has any information, PLEASE, PLEASE either let us know or phone the police.”

Coco was also targeted towards the end of last year when CCTV captured three people pulling all the trees, flowers and Christmas lights out of the planters in the outside bays on December 3, 2020. The Broad Street business has a welcoming seating area outside the front on the main street where customers can sit and enjoy their coffee, which had been decorated for Christmas with fairy lights covering pansies placed in four planters. But when manager Sharon Closs arrived for work the following morning, soil had been strewn all over the pavement and road – with those responsible labelled “drunken idiots”.

The two incidents have added to the stressful recent period for the coffee house, which like many other businesses in the hospitality sector, is trying to recover from the various lockdowns and inactivity during coronavirus. They have been open for takeaways during the pandemic and outside visitors have been welcome since April 26, while from Monday cafes, restaurants and pubs can once again allow customers to eat and drink indoors following a further easing of restrictions by the Welsh Government.

“Hospitality has had a tough year, this has added to it, we are open outside and for takeaway and will be open on Monday, May 17, inside,” added the Coco Facebook post. “This vandalism will not defeat us.”