Knocking shops and red paint vandalism

Knocking shops and red paint vandalism

Author
Discussion

Shooter McGavin

Original Poster:

8,190 posts

159 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
This isn't entirely a mystery, as quoted in the article we've had several instances of it in my town (Reading).

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/20/my...

The common thread seems to be oriental "massage parlours" which are the kind of places where they are unlikely to be able to do much for your old badminton injury but will send you on your way with a happy finish.

From what I've heard they are targeted by East European gangsters for protection money, non-compliance results in their premises being daubed in red paint, we had the BROTHEL word painted down the wall, right next to our local 'Loungers' bar, which is obviously not great for business when you are selling homely meals to nice middle-class people.

I just wondered if this is a national thing, anyone else outside of the south east seen it?

ChevronB19

7,785 posts

178 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Shooter McGavin said:
This isn't entirely a mystery, as quoted in the article we've had several instances of it in my town (Reading).

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/20/my...

The common thread seems to be oriental "massage parlours" which are the kind of places where they are unlikely to be able to do much for your old badminton injury but will send you on your way with a happy finish.

From what I've heard they are targeted by East European gangsters for protection money, non-compliance results in their premises being daubed in red paint, we had the BROTHEL word painted down the wall, right next to our local 'Loungers' bar, which is obviously not great for business when you are selling homely meals to nice middle-class people.

I just wondered if this is a national thing, anyone else outside of the south east seen it?
Not here, but I do live close to a village called Bothel, which for obvious reasons occasionally gets ‘edited’. It’s pretty close to Cockermouth as well.

I’ll get my coat.

John D.

19,256 posts

224 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
I did wonder why the Guardian was making this out to be such a big mystery. That's my local Loungers too. Was fairly obvious to me what you could probably get from the 'Asian Massage' place.

Sheets Tabuer

20,292 posts

230 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
There's supposed to be one near me but I'm buggered if I've ever been able to find it, just out of curiosity.

numtumfutunch

4,961 posts

153 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Sheets Tabuer said:
There's supposed to be one near me but I'm buggered if I've ever been able to find it, just out of curiosity.
I see what you did there smile

MitchT

16,732 posts

224 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Shooter McGavin said:
... right next to our local 'Loungers' bar, which is obviously not great for business when you are selling homely meals to nice middle-class people.
Could join forces for annual Steak & BJ Day.

pheonix478

2,935 posts

53 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
ChevronB19 said:
Not here, but I do live close to a village called Bothel, which for obvious reasons occasionally gets ‘edited’. It’s pretty close to Cockermouth as well.

I’ll get my coat.
Somewhere north of Scunthorpe?

Voldemort

6,877 posts

293 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
I've just seen images on reddit of this happening in Leeds.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Leeds/comments/1jfvcup/re...

Biker 1

8,145 posts

134 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
ChevronB19 said:
Not here, but I do live close to a village called Bothel, which for obvious reasons occasionally gets ‘edited’. It’s pretty close to Cockermouth as well.

I’ll get my coat.
I live a few miles from the River Uck. Local council fitted the narrowest sign possible to avoid popular editing with the suffix F

Sheets Tabuer

20,292 posts

230 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
If it's happening nationally has someone hacked only fans address book?

Super Sonic

9,564 posts

69 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Sheets Tabuer said:
There's supposed to be one near me but I'm buggered if I've ever been able to find it, just out of curiosity.
Maybe it will be painted red soon that should help.

Super Sonic

9,564 posts

69 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Biker 1 said:
I live a few miles from the River Uck. Local council fitted the narrowest sign possible to avoid popular editing with the suffix F
River uckf?

Resolutionary

1,404 posts

186 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Banksy reaching ever-deeper into the downright obtuse.

Geffg

1,288 posts

120 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Liverpools had this happening.

Biker 1

8,145 posts

134 months

Thursday 20th March
quotequote all
Super Sonic said:
River uckf?
Err... Prefix
Get out of jail free card: I had been drinking

munroman

1,894 posts

199 months

Friday 21st March
quotequote all
Biker 1 said:
ChevronB19 said:
Not here, but I do live close to a village called Bothel, which for obvious reasons occasionally gets ‘edited’. It’s pretty close to Cockermouth as well.

I’ll get my coat.
I live a few miles from the River Uck. Local council fitted the narrowest sign possible to avoid popular editing with the suffix F
I used to live in Kirkintilloch.

Signs proclaimed it as ' Scotland's Canal Capital'

The C in Canal was often covered up....

It wasn't helped by it later being awarded 'Walkers Welcomed' status

The L in Walkers became an N.....

Edited by munroman on Friday 21st March 09:06

loafer123

15,952 posts

230 months

Friday 21st March
quotequote all
Biker 1 said:
Super Sonic said:
River uckf?
Err... Prefix
Get out of jail free card: I had been drinking
I’m guessing you mean this one;



el romeral

1,600 posts

152 months

Friday 21st March
quotequote all


Could be paint incoming here.

Shooter McGavin

Original Poster:

8,190 posts

159 months

Friday 21st March
quotequote all
John D. said:
I did wonder why the Guardian was making this out to be such a big mystery. That's my local Loungers too. Was fairly obvious to me what you could probably get from the 'Asian Massage' place.
We are regulars in The Alto Lounge, I know they have applied for planning permission to knock through into the former Thames Hospice shop next door. The plan is to massively revamp the iternals, shifting the kitchen area into the Thames Hospice, and having the bar all along what is currently the left hand wall.

The massive fly in the ointment is that doorway to the flat above (arrowed) which is the access to said knocking shop.

One imagines the Lounges group will either have to buy the Thames Hospice building, or get the owner to close the brothel down as part of the rent? It's really not a great business plan to have Johns arriving in the middle of your premises when families are trying to enjoy a Vegan Buddha Bowl! hehe


swisstoni

19,869 posts

294 months

Friday 21st March
quotequote all
Geffg said:
Liverpools had this happening.
So in the space of a few posts we’ve had reports from Reading, Leeds and Liverpool.
No doubt being dealt with by the police team still untroubled about why there are more turkish barbers in the country than punters. hehe