Thieves smash windows at Carnival House in Southwick while new business is closed due to lockdown

Northumbria Police received a report a of break-in a Carnival House on The King’s Road, in Southwick on Friday, February 5.

It is understood that a number of windows have been smashed and a small amount of property, valued at under £500, was stolen from the premises.

After standing derelict for 17 years, the former St Hilda’s Parish Centre on The King’s Road was transformed into the colourful multi-purpose site when it was taken over by community interest company Creative Seed.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that Carnival House, run by husband and wife team Garner and Sandy Harris, has undergone a troubled launch, officially opening on August 1 last year.

However since then, government restrictions have meant that the business has had to open and shut it’s doors a number of times, with a lot of trade being lost over the Christmas period.

Sandy has told the Echo how difficult it has been and highlighted the impact that the burglary has had on the team.