THE community is rallying behind businesses in Redruth after they sustained thousands of pounds worth of damage during a spate of vandalism.

Grow Box, Cash Generator, YFC fast food takeaway, Gym Power sports nutrition and supplements shop and the Redruth Idler second hand book store in Fore Street were targeted during the incident, which happened on Thursday, October 15 shortly after 4pm.

A 35-year-old woman from Redruth was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after shop windows and around 10 cars around Redruth town centre were damaged with a hammer. She was released on bail until January 12, 2027 pending further enquiries.

A gofundme fundraiser has now been launched to help the five independent businesses cover the cost of repairs following the “devastating damage.”

Grow Box also organised a raffle and soup event at its café in the Krowji arts hub, which raised more than £1,000 after local businesses pitched in to donate prizes. Collection boxes have also been distributed around the town centre to raise money.

The Grow Box, which is a community interest company operating a local greengrocer and butcher shop, had two sliding doors at the front of the premises smashed during the incident and a side window.

Chris Blight from the Grow Box said: “It is really nice to see the community pulling together to help out the affected businesses but it’s a shame something like this has happened.

“Small businesses are already struggling without vandalism like this occurring.”

Ben Ingall, the owner of Cash Generator, had his shop window damaged with a hammer
Ben Ingall, the owner of Cash Generator, had his shop window damaged with a hammer

Ben Ingall, the owner of Cash Generator organised the gofundme titled ‘Help Redruth's Independent Businesses Bounce Back’ for people to send their donations.

He said: “Five independent businesses in Redruth town centre have been hit by devastating damage to their shop windows, leaving them facing unexpected repair bills running into thousands of pounds. They have all incurred between £500 and £2,000 worth of damage. There is a hammer mark in the middle of my shop window.

“At a time when small businesses are already struggling with rising costs and challenging trading conditions, this is another financial blow we simply don't need.

“We're coming together as a community to help ease that burden.

“Every donation, however small, will go towards helping the five businesses replace their damaged windows and get back to doing what they do best, which is serving our local community.

“Let's show what Redruth can do when we pull together.”

Guy Hoy, the owner of the Redruth Idler said: “It is nice people are getting together to organise the fundraiser. That’s brilliant but the vandalism is upsetting.

“I’ve got to fork out £2,000 on a new window, which is quite difficult for a shop in a town that is already struggling.

“I’ve just moved house so the incident has hit me hard but I will get through it.”

The window of Poundland in Fore Street was also damaged during the incident but the company is organising its own repairs.