A CAFE owner is offering a £500 reward in the hope of identifying the vandals responsible for the graffiti on her building.
Saltdean’s Whitecliffs Cafe, Bar and Grill in Marine Drive was targetted by vandals for the first time on Wednesday night.
Julieanne Honeysett, who has owned the cafe with her husband Steve for three years, said she hopes to locate the “revolting” people responsible - by offering a reward with a sentimental value.
The owner, a keen artist, is offering £500 she recently received for a commission to anyone who can provide information about the perpetrators.
“As it’s called Whitecliffs, we paint it all white every year. For this to happen is heart wrenching and heart breaking,” she said.
“For us, it’s not about the financial cost - it’s the stress. The whole of Saltdean can see it.”
She says she believes the offending took place between 9.30pm and 10.45pm on Wednesday night.
While the cafe has CCTV, the cameras do not cover the wall that was targetted.
Julieanne, who goes by Julieanne Gilburt in the art world, also lives above the cafe with her husband.
“We live and breathe this place. I will not give up until I find out who this little brat is - even if it takes me six months,” she said.
“I take it personally. I’m not working in a chain pub – this is me and my husband. And this is our home.”
The graffiti appears to read "IBAGZ", which Julieanne hopes means something to someone.
“It’s such a clear tag, somebody somewhere will know what it means or who did it,” she said. “Somebody may have that as a nickname perhaps.
“He or she will have blue paint under their nails or paint on their clothes.”
Despite the incident, Julieanne says her faith in humanity remains after a Covid enforced “year from hell”.
“We’ve not had a single issue in the three years we’ve been here. And the previous owner didn’t have any trouble for 15 years,” she said.
“A friend of mine, David Wilson, has turned up with a pot of white paint and offered to cover it over. He’s saved the day.
“There are official places for beautiful street art, but in appropriate places.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel