Knocking shops and red paint vandalism

[Shooter McGavin]

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]

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.]

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]

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]

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

[MitchT]

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]

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]

I've just seen images on reddit of this happening in Leeds.

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

[Biker 1]

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]

If it's happening nationally has someone hacked only fans address book?

[Super Sonic]

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]

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]

Banksy reaching ever-deeper into the downright obtuse.

[Geffg]

Liverpools had this happening.

[Biker 1]

Super Sonic said:

River uckf?

Err... Prefix
Get out of jail free card: I had been drinking

[munroman]

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]

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]

Could be paint incoming here.

[Shooter McGavin]

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!

[swisstoni]

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.