'Soul destroying' vandalism a weekly devastation for Carmen Bar & Eatery

Danielle Evans, from Westleigh, has spent more than £100k to create her dream bar and restaurant, Carmen Bar & Eatery, in June 2021.

Also the owner of the Lock Cocktail Bar in Leigh, Danielle designed the Market Street establishment as a "super-premium" place to drink or dine, but the venue has since become the subject of an ever-increasing problem of vandalism.

The toilets at Carmen are targeted on an almost weekly basis

Occurring on an almost weekly basis, the incidents vary from customers breaking bathroom equipment and bar decorations, ripping off wallpaper and stealing property such as blankets, cushions, and disabled access ramps.

All of this is costing the business a "fortune" to replace and repair, while causing a heap of undue stress on Danielle, a mum-of-three.

The vandalism costs Danielle a lot to replace and repair, as well as causing undue stress

Danielle, 39, said: "I knew the spec of exactly what I wanted to achieve with the bar, and how I wanted it to look.

"People said to me that I shouldn't spend so much but I didn't want the possibility of vandalism or people stealing to put me off.

"But now we are becoming a victim to this every single weekend and it's soul destroying trying to constantly battle with it - I've burst into tears a few times because I know how much everything costs."

Danielle has spent over a £100k creating her dream bar and restaurant

After the difficulties of the pandemic and more recently the cost of living crisis, the business owner said that the acts of vandalism is yet another issue that is causing significant amounts of distress.

The former midwife said that the only way she feels the problem can be improved is by spending further money on toilet attendants or bouncers to keep a check on the bar.

Another suggestion was the creation of a local business networking group where anti-social behaviour can be reported and those responsible barred from local venues.

An example of the food on offer at Carmen

Danielle added: "After opening during covid and social distancing rules, our energy bills went sky high and now we are dealing with the vandalism, so it's been absolute hell trying to manage everything.

"I've spent a lot of money getting the business to look how I want it - and I look at it like I look at my home.

"I don't think people see the person behind the business and how much work goes into creating it and keeping it running."

Carmen Bar & Eatery, on Market Street in Atherton