'Out of our control' - Boldon pub see £500 worth of damage after midweek break in
An East Boldon pub has said a break-in is ‘out of their control’ as they look to make up £500 worth of damages.
A Boldon pub is needing to recover after a break in left the site with building damage.
The Grey Horse in East Boldon had a door smashed and a sweet machine taken overnight from Tuesday, June 21 into Wednesday, June 22.
“It’s just like last time. Almost exactly the same thing happened this time last year” said James Milligan, General Manager of the pub on Front Street in the town.
“It’s left us with about £500 worth of damage. It’s one of those things, but it’s an unforeseen cost that hits the business.
“It’s out of our control.”
An image posted to the pub’s social media platform shows the impacted door with its window shattered and glass strewn across the inside of the pub.
CCTV footage has been seen by Northumbria Police.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of burglary at a premises on Front Street in East Boldon which is believed to have taken place overnight on Tuesday (July 21) into Wednesday morning.
“It was reported that offenders have entered the premises via a back door after smashing a window to gain entry.
“They have then taken a sweets machine from inside before leaving the scene.
“Enquiries into the report are ongoing and anyone with information should send a direct message on social media or use the live chat and report forms on our website.
“For those unable to make contact via the above ways, call 101.
“Please quote reference number: 26000405834.”
The damage to the pub occurred at the site’s back door.
“The police have the CCTV from me” adds Mark. “But they were quite cleaver and they’re covered up so it feels like there’s nothing we can do about it.”
It is a popular venue with residents in the Boldon area and the wider North East - with the pub being included in CAMRA’s 2025 Good Beer Guide.
Mark’s pub isn’t the only South Tyneside site recently hit by a break-in. Last week Uncle Buck’s Coffee Shop on Western Approach in South Shields were the victims of a seperate incident just months after opening.