Unsound lounge: the venue on Sutton High Street was left ‘devastated’ by an overnight attack by vandals causing damage estimated as costing tens of thousands of pounds
Crowdfunder raises four-times its target for repairs to the venue following late-night attack by vandals
Sutton High Street suffered its own version of a Kristallnacht on Friday night, when music venue and social hub the Sound Lounge had all the windows of its glass frontage smashed in.
Flag-shaggers: Union flags had been placed on lampposts on Sutton High Street last month
The act of wanton vandalism has been linked to a dozy bit of reporting last week about local flag-shaggers broadcast by BBC London.
The report focused on a roofer from Carshalton who said he is part of a group of around 30 people who have been attaching Union flags to lampposts around Sutton. The interviewee appeared to be benign enough and well-intentioned, if a little uninformed. He had also been in talks with the Sound Lounge over his intentions and conduct.
But the BBC report failed to highlight how far-right groups, such as Britain First, have been supplying flags across the country in the hope of provoking some anti-migrant, anti-foreigner reaction.
The BBC report quoted Hannah White, from The Sound Lounge, who had received a hostile reaction when she spoke to a group of men with ladders who were wearing masks and were attaching a flag to a lamppost on Sutton High Street.
“They were shouting at me,” White said. “‘What country are you from? What country is this?’
“I don’t want to be angry against people who are feeling like they want to celebrate their flag. It’s just, how do we celebrate everyone?”
Damage: the deliberate smashing of the windows appeared to have been done with a hammer
White wrote on social media inviting local people to bring other flags from different countries to the Sound Lounge.
Within a couple of days, all five windows of the venue’s glass frontage had been smashed, apparently by people who attended at night equipped with heavy tools, probably hammers.
In a social media post, the Sound Lounge said: “Our windows were smashed in last night. Every single one. We are absolutely, utterly devastated.
“Immediate works are required to make the area safe. We don’t actually have enough money in our account to pay for the works needed.
“Heartbroken doesn’t come anywhere near how we are feeling.”
The venue is to remain closed until further notice, according to its managers. They have made no comment about the venue’s insurance coverage.
The Met Police, while busy arresting OAPs for holding up placards opposing genocide, have made no arrests over the malicious vandalism on Sutton High Street.
“Police are investigating an allegation of criminal damage at a business premises in Sutton,” according to a Met statement. “Enquiries continue. No arrests have been made.
“Please call police on 101 with the reference 01/7940139/25 if you have any information which may help.”
By this morning, after barely 24 hours, more than 1,600 people had between them donated more than £40,000 to a crowdfunder in support of the Sound Lounge – which had set a target of £10,000 to pay to repair the damage.
In their crowdfunder, the Sound Lounge said: “We are too shocked and devastated to have made a full plan at the moment and we don’t know how badly we will have been impacted financially. But the comments online urging us to set something up so people can support have been overwhelming. As ever, people showing up for us, has blown us away.”
Read more: Tory councillor welcomes New Addington flags as ‘great’
Read more: Council refuses to remove England flags from Coulsdon Road
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Goes to show that the rubbish who put up the flags are fascist thugs, intent on forcing their horrible views down our throats
So depressing that this should happen to a very popular music and food venue. Hannah tried to have a dialogue with one of the organisers of the flag draping which was good natured on both parts. Then this happened. So sad. Thanks for balanced coverage Inside Croydon.
Despicable. I know which one of those two parties has done more for the local community.