NatWest forced to apologise AGAIN after painting huge mural on home without asking owner's permission
The mural is an advert for the bank's financial skills for young people scheme
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NatWest has apologised after it painted a giant mural of footballer Marcus Rashford on the side of a home without permission.
The bank commissioned an artist to paint a picture of the Manchester United star, as an advert to promote its financial skills for young people scheme.
In the mural, Rashford is depicted as a child and then as an adult, with the two versions of him standing next to each other.
Hovering over the pair, is the tagline “Believe it, become it”.
The mural also featured NatWest's logo
PA
Also on the mural is NatWest’s logo and a QR code, which has been painted on the wall connected to a different property’s front door.
Landlord Peter Brynin, 75, who owns the house next door, said he had no objection to the mural itself but was frustrated that it was used as an advertisement for the bank.
The former antiques dealer revealed that the bank did not obtain his permission before beginning the painting.
He told local press that whilst he had no issue with the mural depicting Rashford and the message it contained, he did not approve of his building becoming a glorified billboard.
Brynin said: “Obviously I was taken quite aback.
“It is an art wall. It’s known for that... I have no objection to Rashford, I have no objection to the art, but I do object to an advert where I haven’t been contacted at all.”
He continued: “I am fine with graffiti and murals, but what I don’t want to see it being used for is an advertising space.”
NatWest said that they had purchased the space in “good faith” for its financial skills campaign.
The bank said that they were not aware that the wall did not belong completely to one owner.
Marcus Rashford teamed up with the bank in 2022
PA
The mural has been painted on a house on Trafalgar Lane in Brighton, which is a well-known graffiti and street-art hotspot.
Rashford, the star of the painting, is not only famous for his skills on the pitch.
During the pandemic, the footballer started a campaign to secure holiday food vouchers for children on free school meals throughout national lockdowns.
In 2022, Rashford approached NatWest to partner up with them on their financial skills scheme.
Under the mural, a plaque reads: “This temporary art mural is in collaboration with Marcus Rashford and NatWest Thrive, which aims to give young people self-belief, confidence and money skills.”
The mural will remain until August 20.
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