From 'offensive' Banksy graffiti to David Bowie tribute ruining the area's ... trends now

Whether they're deemed inappropriate, too much like graffiti or politically 'offensive', London's murals have all too often been removed despite being beloved by locals. 

The most recent incident in the capital saw a south-east London chip shop owner ordered to get rid of a Union flag mural from the side of his award-winning fish and chip shop in Greenwich. 

The mural - featuring the British flag alongside the phrase 'A Great British Meal' - was deemed 'inappropriate' by Greenwich council and branded an 'unauthorised advert'.

So as another painted wall is set to be stripped bare, MailOnline takes a look at why councils in and around London have chosen to conceal celebrated works of art. 

'Offensive' Banksy mural 

A beloved Banksy mural was removed by a council in Clacton-on-Sea in 2014 for containing 'offensive and racist remarks'. 

The mural, which featured on Banksy's website, showed pigeons holding up signs directed at one colourful migratory swallow. One banner said 'Go Back to Africa' while another read 'Migrants not welcome'. 

At the time, communications manager for Tendring district council, Nigel Brown, said the council had received a complaint that 'offensive and racist remarks' had been painted on a seafront building.

'The site was inspected by staff who agreed that it could be seen as offensive and it was removed this morning in line with our policy to remove this type of material within 48 hours,' he said. 

It was suggested around the time that the council did not realise Banksy was the artist behind the work before removing it from the wall. 

David Bowie tribute 

Hand painted lyrics from David Bowie's hit song Heroes was washed off the railway bridge in Orford Road, Walthamstow Village, in 2020. 

The mural - which read 'We could be heroes, just for one day' - was reportedly removed following a complaint, and because it was deemed inappropriate for a conservation area. 

A petition calling on the council to reinstate the mural received more than 500 signatures in just two days - with locals claiming the lyric wall 'cheered' them up as they walked along the pavement. 

Deputy leader Cllr Clyde Loakes said at the time: 'We are sorry for the removal of the much-loved David Bowie 'We Could Be Heroes' mural on the Walthamstow Village railway bridge. 

'We understand residents' concerns and are looking at how we can put this right as soon as possible.' 

'Inappropriate' fish and chip shop mural 

Furious residents this week slammed a council's order to remove an 'inappropriate' Union flag mural from the side of an award-winning fish and chip shop.

Chris Kanizi, 65, who owns Golden Chippy, in Greenwich, south-east London, was told to paint over the mural of the humanoid fish, which is adored by tourists.

The Cyprus-born chef, who has been running Golden Chippy for 20 years and lives two doors down, said tourists have been attracted to the area because of the mural, which was deemed 'inappropriate' according to the Telegraph.

Greenwich council said they received a number of complaints about the mural which they deemed to be an 'unauthorised advert'.