Vandal puts future of restaurant at risk after rampage

OWNERS DEVASTATED TO FIND WINDOWS SMASHED

A HAMMER vandal has struck at a new restaurant, putting a couple’s dream of running their own business in danger.

Chris Cox and his wife Ivana Muscas only opened their L’ulivo restaurant in Heaton, Newcastle, last month.

But a vandal has broken five of their windows in a cowardly attack in the middle of the night. Police said it was part of a spree in which other premises were also attacked. No-one has been arrested.

Chris said any further attack on the restaurant would mean their hopes of making a success would be shattered.

The restaurant, on Chillingham Road, offers Neapolitan pizza and had been attracting enough interest from customers to inspire confidence in its future.

Chris runs the business side of things while Ivana is the cook.

Chris said: “In the early hours of Saturday, someone attacked the restaurant with a hammer.

“It is very disappointing because we have tried our best and invested time and effort into the business.

“It is an up-and-coming area and we are hoping to be part of it.

“Hopefully it will not happen again but if it does I am sure it will have a negative impact. We are an independent restaurant serving Neapolitan pizza and employing six people. My wife and I started off in Heaton. It’s a young place with a good demographic of professional people and has an emotional attachment for us.”

The vandal was spotted by the owner of another restaurant in the area. Chris said he was overwhelmed by the support of locals after the incident. He said: “We are overwhelmed with the community support that we have had since our restaurant was vandalised.

“Thankfully, we were able to repair our glazing and continue trading the same day and actually increased sales as a result.

“We received many sympathies from the local residents and we are very thankful for their support.

“We have always dreamed of running our own restaurant and it seems right that our first venture is in Heaton.

“We feel at home here, it is where Ivi and I met and lived before we started our family.”

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said the attacker was chased by a member of the public but got away.

They said: “Early on Saturday morning at approximately 1.10am a male was reported as using a hammer to smash windows of premises on Chillingham Road. A witness chased the man, who made off. Enquiries are ongoing and witnesses should contact 101 quoting log 84 130118 if they have any information.”