York Restaurant Suffers Senseless Vandalism Attack

Clucking Oinks restaurant window smashed in early morning incident caught on CCTV

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:51am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass from a restaurant window, capturing the harsh, gritty aftermath of an act of vandalism against a struggling small business.A vandalized restaurant window exposes the struggles facing small businesses in the hospitality industry.York Today

A historic restaurant in York, Clucking Oinks, has been the victim of a seemingly senseless act of vandalism, with a window being smashed during the early hours of the morning. The incident, which was captured on CCTV, has left the owner, Mike Brand, frustrated and concerned about the future of the hospitality industry in the face of rising costs and lack of government support.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic and rising inflation. The vandalism not only causes financial strain but also takes an emotional toll on business owners who are already struggling to keep their establishments afloat.

The details

The vandalism occurred on a Saturday morning at Clucking Oinks, a restaurant located on Castlegate in York. The CCTV footage shows one man, accompanied by two others, casually walking by before suddenly stopping to smash the glass. The owner, Mike Brand, expressed his frustration, stating that the hospitality industry is struggling immensely without any substantial support from the government.

  • The incident occurred during the early morning hours on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • The damage was discovered by the restaurant's baker while delivering fresh buns to the establishment.

The players

Mike Brand

The owner of Clucking Oinks restaurant, who has expressed his frustration over the vandalism and the lack of support for the hospitality industry.

Rachel Brand

Mike Brand's wife, who discovered the CCTV footage showing the vandals.

Clucking Oinks

A historic restaurant located on Castlegate in York, which has now endured its second window smash in recent times.

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What they’re saying

“The hospitality industry is struggling immensely, without any substantial support, and yet some individuals resort to these mindless acts.”

— Mike Brand, Owner, Clucking Oinks

“It's hard to wrap your head around it, isn't it? With the hospitality sector barely holding on, and lacking any real support, people are still choosing to engage in such reckless behavior.”

— Mike Brand, Owner, Clucking Oinks

“If you watch the video, he actually seems to celebrate the act after doing it. It's quite disturbing, honestly.”

— Mike Brand, Owner, Clucking Oinks

What’s next

Mike Brand is waiting to see if the individual who claimed responsibility for the vandalism will follow through on their promise to cover the damages. The incident has raised concerns about the future of small businesses in the hospitality sector, and many are calling for increased government support to help them weather the ongoing challenges.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing struggles faced by small businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, rising costs, and a lack of government support. The senseless act of vandalism not only causes financial strain but also takes an emotional toll on business owners who are already fighting to keep their establishments afloat.