AN ATTEMPTED break-in at a popular city centre café has caused £3,000 worth of damage.

Staff at the Art House on Above Bar described hearing a “large thud” after closing up and came in this morning to find a window at the front of the arts venue smashed.

It comes just weeks after managers launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £12,500 after two burglaries in just six weeks.

As previously reported director Jani Franck set up the campaign to pay for repairs, the cost of which had put the community interest and non-profit company in a “very precarious financial position.”

Staff member Joanne Ames this morning told the Daily Echo that this latest damage will set the fundraising campaign back again. She said: “The money we are trying to raise won’t cover everything we need and now this is the most expensive piece of glass in the whole place”.

Staff member Devin Valentine added that if the café closes, there would be a “huge horrible hole in the heart of the community”.

Director Paul Bickmore took to social media to vent his frustration, saying he was feeling “downhearted and disillusioned”.

He said: “One of our beautiful curved glass windows was smashed last night. They cost £3,000 each as they have to be made especially. More disruption and lost income for The Art House.

"We just wanted to bring a bit of arty joy to the city. But this is no joy for us right now”.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “Police received a report at 10.04am of a criminal damage incident which took place at The Art House on Above Bar Street, Southampton.

"Between 10.30pm last night and 8am this morning, an unknown object was thrown at the window, causing the glass to crack."

Anyone who saw what happened, or has any information, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44170355961.