A florist owner whose shop was targeted in a spate of vandalism has told how the incident has brought the ‘local community together’

Police were called to Glossop Road, Broomhill, on Sunday following reports of a man having smashed numerous shop fronts with a hammer at around 9am.

A total of 14 businesses along the road were affected, including florist Pavilion Flowers.

Jonathan Bagge, who owns the business and is a ‘face for the traders in Broomhill’ said they were all “steeling themselves for a difficult few weeks’.

Mr Bagge, of the Broomhill Independent Traders Association, has expressed his concern about the impact.

He said: “The cost to us as business owners is absolutely astronomical, which for a small business is a huge amount to sustain.

“On Monday there was already a big drop in customers.”

He added that although the vandalism has set many businesses back, it has brought a bigger and wider sense of community.

He said: “A lot of the local community have since pulled together and come in and supported us. We cater for everybody and if people can give us the best support, we’d really appreciate that.”

South Yorkshire Police said a 51-year-old man has been arrested and charged with numerous counts of criminal damage in connection with the incident.

A police spokesman said: “A man has been charged in connection to criminal damage.”

He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court yesterday.

The traders of Broomhill are calling for people to visit their shops as normal, and continue supporting small businesses following the incident.