Tonbridge, Kent—The side wall of the Bon Marché store on the High Street is clean once again, following a successful intervention spearheaded by local MP Tom Tugendhat. The unsightly graffiti, a recurring blemish on the town centre, was the subject of a recent video promise by the MP to get it removed.
True to his word, the tagging has been cleaned, marking a visible victory in the ongoing fight against low-level anti-social behaviour in the town. The MP’s efforts echo a similar push in 2023, when the same wall was cleaned of extensive vandalism, highlighting the persistent challenge of keeping the town centre pristine.
The removal of the graffiti has been welcomed by residents, though many remain cautious about how long the freshly painted surface will remain untouched.
Following the clean-up, MP Tom Tugendhat took to social media, urging the community to work with him to tackle the broader issue. He posted a call-to-action on Facebook:
(Source: Facebook)
“Let’s get graffiti gone, together. This is the first of many to be removed from our town walls and buildings – please keep me up to date, with the form on my website, so that it can be reported to the necessary authorities:https://www.tomtugendhat.org/litter-and-graffiti-reporting“
The link directs residents to a dedicated online reporting tool that allows them to quickly flag instances of graffiti, litter, and fly-tipping directly to the MP’s team. This system ensures that reports are swiftly passed on to either the property owner—as graffiti on private land is the owner’s responsibility—or to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for removal on public land.
While MP Tom Tugendhat and the Council focus on removing unauthorised graffiti, a different conversation is emerging in Tonbridge about how to brighten up the town’s blank walls: the possibility of commissioning public murals. These large-scale, planned artworks are being suggested as a creative and legal way to introduce colour, local history, and artistic expression to key areas, potentially turning unsightly or dull surfaces into visual landmarks. The idea is to move beyond mere removal of vandalism and instead use art to proactively enhance the town’s aesthetic appeal and foster a sense of civic pride, providing a constructive outlet for local artists while making the town centre a more vibrant place to visit.
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