Project Overview

Newport High Street has recently experienced a significant increase in chewing gum, creating an ongoing maintenance challenge for the town and local businesses. With each piece costing an estimated 10p to remove, the build-up had begun to noticeably impact the appearance and cleanliness of the area.

To help restore the high street’s presentation, we were appointed to carry out a full deep clean. This included pressure washing the entire length of the high street and removing chewing gum using specialist steam cleaning equipment designed for hard surfaces in public spaces.

Our Scope of Works

We delivered a comprehensive exterior cleaning package across the high street, including:

• Pressure washing of all paved areas
• Steam cleaning to remove large quantities of chewing gum
• Creation of safe pedestrian routes by blocking off small working zones
• Re-sanding the paving once cleaning was complete

This ensured a thorough clean that improved both the look and usability of the high street.

Methods & Approach

To minimise disruption to local shops and businesses, we scheduled works for late afternoon and evening. In some areas, we began at 4pm when footfall started to reduce, and we ensured operations ceased by 10:30pm to comply with noise considerations.

Our approach included:

• Sectioning off manageable parts of the high street
• Installing safe, clearly guided pedestrian routes
• Using steam cleaners specifically designed for chewing gum removal
• Operating high-efficiency surface cleaners for consistent results
• Coordinating work patterns to reduce impact on traders and the public

This approach allowed us to deliver a deep clean while keeping the high street accessible and safe.

Project Outcome

The completed works resulted in a dramatically cleaner and brighter high street, with chewing gum build-up significantly reduced and paving restored to a fresh, uniform appearance. The re-sanded surfaces not only improved aesthetics but also helped stabilise the block paving after intensive washing.

The project successfully balanced thorough cleaning, public safety, and minimal disruption, supporting the town’s ongoing efforts to maintain a welcoming and attractive high street environment.