Graffiti continues to be a thorn in the side for Cheltenham residents and council alike. It casts a shadow over public spaces and influencing people's sense of safety, property values, and overall life quality. The Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) is joining forces with key stakeholders such as Cheltenham Borough Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to devise a comprehensive strategy to eradicate graffiti from the town centre and other public areas.
A three-month pilot scheme marks the beginning of a long-term plan aimed at enhancing public safety, fostering community engagement, and stimulating economic growth by maintaining clean and appealing public spaces. A £15,000 grant from the Home Office has been secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to fund a pilot project. The project will employ two people to work across Cheltenham town centre two days a week for three months, using measures such as graffiti-resistant paint and mapping persistent tags to make it harder for vandals to strike.
Phase 1 involves mapping graffiti on town centre businesses, council-owned buildings, grade 1 and 2 listed buildings, and other public areas. Phase 2 focuses on identifying graffiti hotspot locations or larger pieces for initial removal, protection, and patrol. Phase 3 sees the rollout of graffiti removal across all mapped areas.
Fran Inman, chief executive at Cheltenham BID, said: "Graffiti is a persistent issue that negatively.