Multiple Notting Hill residents have painted the façade of their previously colourful houses black in order to deter tourists. Although it is not the first time people have taken to less photogenic hues in order to try and regain their privacy, the move is increasingly catching the attention of press and tourists alike.
Notting Hill, the West London neighbourhood made famous by the eponymous nineties movie, has been a tourist favourite for years. Not only do they try to find some of the movie’s filming locations but they are also drawn by the many brightly coloured houses in the neighbourhood.
However, while those bright hues might be a very photogenic backdrop for tourists, local residents are less pleased by the crowds.
“As many of you have noticed, our section of the street has become an increasingly popular spot for social media tourists, drawn by the vibrant colours of our homes. While it’s great to see appreciation for our street, the constant crowds, noise, litter and lack of privacy caused by people sitting on our stairs are starting to take a toll on our daily lives,” a letter circulated among homeowners on Lancaster Road in Notting Hill and shared by the British newspaper Daily Mail reads.
Lockdown tourism
According to those living on the road, the tourist crowds have significantly worsened since the Covid-19 lockdown. Influencers and amateur photographers alike are going up to the front doors to take their pictures, sitting down for a picnic, and even changing outfits on the spot to take the perfect picture. According to the British newspaper The Independent, one local resident was even asked to go inside their home by a tourist who didn’t want their picture ruined.
“People on the street have really struggled to rent [out their homes] because people come to their houses and see 200 people outside. You can not even walk down the street. You can not get past people. People tut at you and are rude if you try and get into your own house. I’ve even had things stolen from my car. It’s just become a nightmare… When you’re sitting in your living room it sounds like Oxford Street,” a resident told media outlet The Standard.
After one of the houses on Lancaster Road had already been painted black, the two neighbouring buildings have now followed that tactic in the hopes of being less photogenic and thus drawing less crowds to their doorsteps.
“As a possible solution, three households have decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help reduce the visual pull for tourists. If more of us consider collectively doing the same, we may be able to restore some peace and privacy to our community,” the letter titled ‘Addressing tourist impact on our street’ continues.
While the black hues are a new step towards deterring tourists, in the past, residents have been known to paint their houses grey and beige in order to obtain a similar effect. People are also putting up ‘quiet zone’ signs and have been adding chains and ropes in front of the stairs leading up to their homes, a move that has been known to be successful. Kim Taylor-Smith, deputy leader and lead member for culture of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, also stressed in a statement that while Notting Hill loves seeing tourists from all over the world, a local street enforcement team patrols the borough and will intervene in case of anti-social behaviour.
