Torquay café thanks community after devastating vandal attack

The owner of a well-known Torquay clifftop cafe has thanked the community for the way they have rallied to support the business after a devastating vandal attack.

Four bi-fold doors at the Babbacombe Bay Cafe on Babbacombe Downs were smashed to smithereens in the pointless early-morning attack.

But within days - because of that support - the cafe was back up and running.

The rocks-throwing incident and aftermath was first announced by the cafe on a social media post last Tuesday morning. The owner said: “We’re absolutely heartbroken to share that at 6am this morning, our café was deliberately damaged, with four of our bi-fold doors being smashed.

“It’s been a really upsetting and difficult day for us, especially during times that are already so challenging for small, local businesses. CCTV has captured the incident and it is being dealt with.”

The cafe was closed for a couple of days after the incident while it was made safe and everything was put back together’.

The owner added: “This café means so much to us, and moments like this are incredibly tough. The kind messages, support and encouragement we’ve already received have honestly meant more than we can put into words. We are so lucky to have such an amazing community around us.

“Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support while we work through this.”

True to their word, the cafe was back in business after a couple of days last Thursday, with the owner saying: “We honestly don’t even have the words to fully express how grateful and emotional we feel right now.

“Over the last couple of days, we have received hundreds of messages, phone calls, kind words and well wishes from so many people and local businesses.

“The love and support you have shown us has truly meant more than we could ever explain.

“We honestly wish we could thank every single one of you personally. Seeing how much it means to so many of you has been incredibly overwhelming in the most beautiful way.

“During moments that feel really tough, you have reminded us why we do what we do and how lucky we are.

“While things may look a little different for now and we won’t have our usual sea views we are so ready to welcome you back.

“Thank you for standing by us, lifting us up and surrounding us with so much kindness, strength and love. We will never forget it.”

The front windows, with panoramic views of Babbacombe Bay, are still boarded while the damage is assessed by insurers. The owner was just keen to ‘focus on the positive and not the negative.’

She said: “I have no idea who it was. I do not know why they have done it. It has nothing to do with me and I am not getting involved.”

She added: “Hospitality at the moment is tough. People are not spending what they did. It is a struggle.

“The response from the local community and businesses especially has been amazing. “I want to focus on the positivity of it all because they have all been unbelievable.

“It is not just about me. We have loyal staff who would have lost wages and we have our suppliers to think about. I thought let’s just open and the response has been incredible."

It is understood police are still looking for the vandal.