Greenwich chip shop mural officially refused planning permission

Remember that kerfuffle over a mural on a Greenwich chip shop earlier back in March this year?

A chippie on Greenwich High Road had a mural put outside and on Greenwich Council ordered its removal given its location in a conservation area.

Well after the publicity died down the owner did apply for planning permission and Greenwich formally rejected the idea.

Of course in reality it was a great load of free advertising for the business. Removal or not, it matters little given you can’t buy that level of publicity for any less than a fair few quid.

Some culture war muppets also jumped on board aided and abetted by the usual media outlets stating the council action was due to a union flag. In reality an unauthorised mural in a conservation area and World Heritage Zone is always going to get short shrift – like it or not.

The argument about say, a Banksy in Charlton getting a different response do make some sense on the surface, though that wasn’t an advert for a business. Unless you count “Brand Banksy”.

Anyway, the application was refused but of course by then it was almost immaterial – and the usual suspects moved on to covering the next “outrage”.

A success all round really; lots of free press for the chippie and more page views for the outrage merchants.

Running a site alone takes time and a fair bit of money. Adverts are far from enough to cover it and my living costs as a private renter.