"Nothing stops our craft club" - business as usual for Community Kettle CIC after learner driver smashes into shop

Community Kettle CIC on High Street in Cosham, is still open despite the incident which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, February 24. The car did extensive damage as it smashed through the storefront’s window and collided with table and chairs on the inside.

Nicole Heard founded the organisation, which promotes shared mix generational experiences, and has been able to see the bright side of the incident. She said: “Fortunately no one was injured and as far as I am aware the driver was not either. We are currently clearing up at the moment, fortunately we have big glass windows so they just came through them.

“Our volunteers have come in this morning to carnage with the windows boarded up and glass all over the main room floor. The furniture has been damaged as the car pretty much drove through our table and chairs.”

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Despite the chaotic scene, the community are still coming together to make use of the space.

Nicole said: “We still have our crafters in the café space as our crafters don’t stop for anything. Even when we have had no heating, it’s a building site or there is no toilet, our craft group just get on with it.”

While Nicole is able to see the funny side, the timing of the crash meant that there was no one inside to be injured. She added: “If it had happened on a bingo day or when we had an event it would not bear thinking about as it would have been quite scary.”

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary have been approached for comment on the incident.

Find pictures of the damage below: