Owner of Chester-le-Street salon devastated after break-in

Angel Brow and Beauty, on Front Street in St Cuthbert’s Walk shopping centre, was broken into on Thursday (February 19) around 5.35pm.

Owner Pam Caur, 45, from Gateshead, opened the salon nearly eight years ago in July 2018, and the business specialises in brow threading, lashes, waxing and other beauty treatments.

The thieves stole £600 worth of stock as well as causing what could be thousands in damage (Image: ANGEL BROW & BEAUTY)

On Thursday, Pam had closed the shop at 4.30pm to pick her daughter up from school when she received a call around 5.30pm telling her she needed to return because the salon had been broken into.

The sky was still light, and people were nearby when the break-in happened, and the police arrived shortly afterwards.

According to Pam, the thieves smashed the door window to gain entry, stole around £600 worth of perfume and caused further damage inside the shop, something the business owner estimates could cost thousands of pounds.

They also left blood at the scene, believed to have come from a cut sustained during the break-in, and the CCTV footage has been handed to police.

Police came to the scene and took CCTV footage as well as forensics (Image: ANGEL BROW & BEAUTY)

Pam said: “It is a shock because it was in broad daylight with people around you, just never expect it. You just think… why?

“We don’t leave any money on sight because we do card, but it is the stock about £600 worth of perfume and the cost of replacing the door and glass, which is going to cost us. They also made a right mess and damaged some other things inside too.

“We are a small independent business and could really do without it.

“Thursday night, when we were let back in at 11pm after police did their thing, my husband and I stayed all night to clear it all up, and I just cried all night. I was so upset and devastated.

“On Friday morning, I then got up and decided I would go in because if I didn’t go, then I don’t think I would have gone back because it is really scary knowing people did that to your business.

“People have offered to send money, but I don’t want that. I just need their support, love and kindness to help get us through.

Angel Brow and Beauty was broken into this week in Chester-le-Street (Image: ANGEL BROW & BEAUTY)

Angel Brow and Beauty was broken into this week in Chester-le-Street (Image: ANGEL BROW & BEAUTY)

“We have been here nearly eight years now, and customers are like my family, and all the messages of support and love have really helped because it has been really tough and just really, really hard.”

Pam said the cost of replacing the smashed door and glass will add to the financial blow for the small independent business in what is a hard time for businesses anyway.

The Northern Echo has contacted Durham Constabulary for a statement on the incident.