Banksy’s artwork in Charlton could be worth a six-figure payday for Greenwich Council – because it owns the industrial estate where the piece has been painted.

Hundreds of people have flocked to the unlikely surroundings of Westmoor Street, by the Thames Barrier, to take their chances with skip lorries and waste trucks and see the work for themselves on the Ashleigh Commercial Estate.

The artwork – depicting a rhino humping an abandoned car with a cone on its bonnet, was tagged by an individual in a balaclava on Monday evening, adding to the spectacle. 

By Tuesday afternoon the car had gone. A worker from RMS Skips, which has a yard in the estate, had placed a wooden frame around the artwork. A protective screen was put up later, with security guards in place later in the day.

Greenwich Council owns the freehold to the estate. The council has been building up its landholdings in the area over the years in an attempt to kickstart the redevelopment of the Charlton Riverside as a residential area.

If it can remove Banksy’s work safely – which is by no means a given – it could be worth some money for the cash-strapped town hall. A painting in Nottingham was taken from a wall and sold for “a six-figure sum” in 2021.

A mural from Lowestoft was sold for an unknown sum the following year, while another work from the Suffolk town has also been put on the market.

Crowd of people taking photos of a Banksy
Crowds flocked to the Charlton riverside industrial area on Monday…. Image: Andrew Donkin
Crowds taking photos of a Banksy
Some even decided to sit down among the dirty industrial surroundings. Image: Andrew Donkin
Banksy's rhino humping a car with a horn on its bonnet
The car disappeared overnight. Image: Andrew Donkin

The council told The Greenwich Wire:  “We are aware of Banksy’s latest artwork and are glad the renowned international artist recognises our status as one of London’s cultural hotspots.

“It’s a real shame that a mindless vandal has defaced the mural, which has already drawn visitors and brought so much joy to many. The council is now considering what would be reasonably possible for the future of the artwork and will be closely monitoring it.” 

Crowds gathering around Banksy artwork
On Tuesday, crowds were taking a closer look. Image: The Greenwich Wire
HGV passing Bansky mural
Work was going on as normal in the yards around the mural. Image: The Greenwich Wire

Crowds were still gathering around the wall, including families with young children and even an off-duty ambulance crew. One woman posed by the rhino with her bicycle replacing the missing car.

The artwork is in an industrial area of Charlton notorious for dust, abandoned cars and flytipping. While there are few other neighbours – apart from evangelical churches and a nightclub – the Anchor & Hope pub, a few minutes’ walk along the riverfront, appeared to be doing a healthy lunchtime trade.

People posing in front of Banksy artwork
People were still gathering by the artwork on Tuesday evening, after it had been given a protective cover. Image: The Greenwich Wire
Crowd at Banksy mural
Security guards were in place by Tuesday evening. Many of those visiting were on their way to the Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City EFL Cup match. Image: The Greenwich Wire

The artwork is part of a series that have appeared across the capital, with a piece appearing at the gates to London Zoo on Tuesday morning. The zoo said it would remain in place for as long as possible.

Another artwork, of piranhas, placed in a police box close to the Old Bailey, was moved to the Guildhall by the City of London Corporation to protect it.

Updated at 10.30pm to include new photos of security guards and the covering.

Follow The Greenwich Wire on Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads. You can also sign up for WhatsApp alerts – or subscribe to our emails through the blue box above.