Councillor Sonia Copeland has condemned those who set fire to a nail salon in East Belfast last night. The salon, located in the Castlereagh Street/Beersbridge Road area is owned by a Polish national.
The shutter of the premises is believed to have been folded up and the window broken before petrol was poured in and set alight.
Councillor Copeland said:
“Whoever is responsible for setting fire to the salon should be utterly ashamed of themselves. I visited the property late last night and the scene was disgusting. Those responsible have not only succeeded in destroying a business, they have also lost jobs in the area.
“My thoughts are with the owner of the premises and her staff today. She is well known for the hours she pours into her business and to think she has been targeted because of her nationality is sickening.
“At a time when we are trying to attract investment into East Belfast idiotic acts like this set this work back. These people need to ask themselves what they contribute to their community.
“This was a hate crime and those responsible should face the full consequences of their cowardly actions. I appeal to anyone who has any information on this contact the PSNI immediately.