Graffiti that has marred a Grade II listed building in Bath for six years is set to be removed. The prominent spray-painted letters “NARG” have been visible on the side of 28 Broad Street since about 2019 or 2020. This historic building, dating back to the early 19th century, is situated in a conservation area and World Heritage Site, making its preservation a priority.
Historic England advises against immediate graffiti removal from historic structures to avoid potential damage. Following this guidance, Bath and North East Somerset Council has now prepared plans to carefully clean the building’s façade.
Spray paint is notoriously difficult to remove from porous materials like Bath stone because it seeps deeply below the surface. Attempts to clean it with water alone often fail and may leave faint remnants or “ghosting.” To tackle the issue, a trial area was treated with a specialist chemical softener, which successfully began breaking down the paint without damaging the stone.
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A formal planning and listed building consent application has been submitted to extend this method across the entire graffiti area. The proposal underscores strict adherence to Historic England’s technical guidelines, employing expert contractors for controlled cleaning.
According to the application: “Removal of graffiti from the Bath stone ashlar of 28 Broad Street—if carried out in accordance with Historic England technical guidance, using specialist contractors and controlled cleaning as carried out in the trial—is expected to have a positive heritage impact, restoring the building’s architectural integrity and preserving the character of the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site.
Improper removal carries high risk; therefore, strict adherence to the methods and mitigations outlined in this assessment is essential.”