Flying Dutchman Stores deny New Brighton graffiti link, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• Rightway DIY in Victoria Road, New Brighton, was covered in pink and blue graffiti overnight, with the shop noticing the vandalism on Monday, September 21, 2026.
• The graffiti consisted of the phrase “FLYING DUTCHMAN SHOP LOCAL,” leading people on social media to speculate that the incident was linked to the Flying Dutchman Stores, a local independent chain.
• However, Flying Dutchman Stores has denied being involved in the vandalism.
• The managing director of Rightway DIY, David Clarke, said that staff were “in tears” but claimed he didn’t think the other local store was to blame.
• New Brighton Creative Futures CIC, an organization supporting creative projects in the area, has also denied any involvement in the incident.
• Merseyside Police has been contacted for comment.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) September 24, 2026 — Workers at Rightway DIY on Victoria Road arrived for work on Monday morning to find every wall of the building defaced with pink and blue paint, according to reporting by the Wirral Globe. Open cans of paint were left on the pavement outside the store. The graffiti included the message “FLYING DUTCHMAN SHOP LOCAL”, which appeared to reference another nearby retailer and promoted shopping locally.

David Clarke, managing director of Rightway DIY, told the Wirral Globe that two staff members were “in tears” after discovering the vandalism. “We’re disappointed to be the subject of some wanton vandalism,” Mr Clarke said. He added: “We get a huge amount of positive feedback from the community about how we operate and what we do.”

Mr Clarke confirmed there had been some minor graffiti at the site the previous week, but nothing on this scale. He said there are no plans to close the store and that the business has been well received since opening. “I don’t, for a minute, think it’s anything to do with the other local retailer,” Mr Clarke told the Wirral Globe. “It’s just the wanton vandalism in an area that everybody is trying to improve.”

Why did Flying Dutchman Stores issue a denial?

As reported by Wirral Today, Flying Dutchman Stores has denied any link to the Rightway DIY graffiti incident following online speculation. The denial comes after the graffiti message explicitly referenced the Flying Dutchman brand, prompting questions on social media and in local discussion about whether the neighbouring business was involved.

The Wirral Globe reported that the graffiti appeared to reference another nearby retailer, though Mr Clarke does not believe that business was involved. Flying Dutchman Stores’ denial seeks to clarify its position and distance itself from the vandalism, according to Wirral Today’s coverage of the development.

Who else responded to the New Brighton graffiti incident?

New Brighton Creative Futures CIC, which supports creative projects in the area such as murals, denied any involvement in the vandalism. A statement on social media read: “This is not work commissioned or supported by New Brighton Creative Futures CIC (NBCF).” The group has previously helped create a mural for local street cleaner Kenny Dunn to celebrate his decade of service, according to Wirral Today.

Merseyside Police has been contacted for comment, the Wirral Globe reported. Local council services are usually responsible for removing graffiti from public buildings and pavements, according to GOV.UK guidance on reporting graffiti.

How has the local community reacted to the vandalism?

As reported by the Wirral Globe, workers at Rightway DIY on Victoria Road arrived on Monday morning to find every wall of the building defaced with pink and blue paint. The incident has drawn attention online, with speculation about the link to Flying Dutchman Stores prompting the retailer’s denial.

Mr Clarke told the Wirral Globe that the business receives significant positive feedback from the community. He emphasised that the vandalism was “wanton” and not reflective of local efforts to improve the area. New Brighton Creative Futures CIC also condemned the incident in its statement, distancing its commissioned creative work from the vandalism.

What is the history of street art and murals on Victoria Road?

Victoria Road in New Brighton has become known for independent shops, murals and street art, according to the Liverpool Echo. The street has been transformed in recent years with the arrival of independent businesses and quirky street art, the Echo reported. New Brighton Creative Futures CIC has been involved in community-funded mural projects on Victoria Road, including a recent shopfront transformation at Celebration Station, as reported by Wirral Today.

The OpenAIR Gallery in the Victoria Quarter has featured community-led art projects, Wirral Today noted. The presence of authorised murals contrasts with the unauthorised graffiti at Rightway DIY, which local creative groups have disavowed.

Background of the particular development

The Rightway DIY graffiti incident follows a period of increased attention on street art and community projects in New Brighton. Rightway DIY is part of a long-established hardware, gardening and DIY retailer group based in North Wales, the Welsh Borders, Cheshire and the Wirral, according to the company’s website. Flying Dutchman Stores is an independent retailer on the same street, which has previously raised concerns about parking and traffic enforcement affecting footfall, according to the Liverpool Echo.

New Brighton Creative Futures CIC is a community interest company registered in Wallasey, with a focus on artistic creation, according to Companies House. The group has supported murals and creative projects in the area, including the OpenAIR Gallery initiative on Victoria Road. The graffiti incident has prompted clarifications from both the referenced retailer and the creative group to avoid misattribution of unauthorised vandalism to their commissioned work.

Prediction: How could this development affect local businesses and residents?

This development could affect local businesses and residents in New Brighton by heightening scrutiny of unauthorised graffiti and potentially complicating perceptions of community art projects. Retailers on Victoria Road may face increased pressure to clarify their positions if future incidents reference their brands, as seen with Flying Dutchman Stores’ denial. Local creative groups may also need to reinforce messaging that distinguishes commissioned murals from vandalism to protect community trust.

For residents and shoppers, the incident could prompt calls for more visible enforcement or faster removal of graffiti, given council responsibilities for public spaces. If perceptions of disorder grow, footfall and confidence among independent retailers could be affected, particularly in a street that has invested in a curated arts and retail identity. Conversely, clear denials and community statements may help contain reputational damage and maintain support for legitimate creative initiatives.