A piece of graffiti featuring the letters “NARG” has defaced the side of 28 Broad Street, a Grade II listed building in Bath’s city centre, for nearly six years. The historic structure, dating back to the early 1800s, has resisted immediate cleaning due to concerns about potential damage to its delicate Bath stone façade.
Historic England advises against hasty graffiti removal on heritage buildings, as aggressive cleaning methods can harm the porous stone or leave behind unsightly traces known as “ghosts.” Spray paint, commonly used by vandals, penetrates deeply into stone surfaces, making simple washing ineffective and risky without specialist intervention.
Following a successful trial using a chemical-based softener on a small section of the graffiti, Bath and North East Somerset Council has now submitted a planning and listed building consent application to clean the entire graffiti piece. The proposed removal would be carried out by expert contractors adhering strictly to Historic England’s technical guidelines to ensure minimal impact on the building’s fabric.
READ MORE: Car Crashes Into Somerset Railway Bridge
READ MORE: Yeovil Pub The Arrow Reopens with New Licence After Major £480,000 Refurbishment
The application emphasizes that, if completed correctly, graffiti removal will restore the architectural integrity of 28 Broad Street and help preserve the character of the surrounding Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. However, it also warns that improper cleaning risks significant damage, highlighting the importance of controlled and specialist methods.