The residents of Nettleton Road, Gloucester, say that the decision to paint their homes different colours has improved community spirit (Picture: SWNS)

Residents on a suburban street all agreed to paint their homes a different colour – and say it’s lifted their mood and conversation between neighbours.

The houses have all been given a new shade – with homeowners saying it’s had a visual and social impact on their well being.

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They claim the makeover has sparked conversation and laughter among neighbours who previously didn’t talk to each other much.

Previously the homes were a drab red brick but have now been left looking like the famous colourful homes in Tobermory and Bristol.


The technicolour road has even become a talking point among the community – with passing schoolchildren stopping to choose their favourite houses.

They said that they now talk to one another much more as a result of the paint being added to their houses (Picture: SWNS)

Shades of blue, yellow, pink and red have transformed the relationships of residents – who are of different ages, races and professions.



It’s the brainchild of landlord Tash Frootko, 39, who rents out two neighbouring properties on the terraced row in Gloucester.

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Tash, an artist, said she wanted the buildings – built in the 1890s – to reflect the road’s diverse demographic.

Tash convinced the whole street to take part and now every home is a different colour.

She said: ‘I started painting the two properties I own and spoke to the neighbours who were on board with the plan.

Ines Green, 22, and Karlis Kozlovkis, 63, are two of the neighbours who now speak to one another more because of the paint (Picture: SWNS)

‘Within days the area was glowing and full of life as passersby stopped to marvel at the changes.

‘A mum I bumped into says she has to take her little girl down the street just so she could see the colours.

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‘When we were stripping the walls before repainting, we discovered the original houses were multicoloured.’

The street includes students, nurses and retired pensioners with a multitude of nationalities, including Latvian and Filipino.

Student Jamie Holmes, 21, lives in one of Tash’s houses on Nettleton Road – and says it’s ‘brightened up a city with an unfair reputation for being dull’.

Children passing through the area like to stop and pick out their favourite house on the street in Gloucester (Picture: SWNS)

The third-year strength and condition student at University of Gloucestershire added: ‘It has brightened up this part of town and goes against the grain in this area.

‘Everyone passing by seems to comment on how nice it is and the neighbour have been chatting and enjoying a cup of tea together. We are hoping this trend can spread across the city centre.’

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Ines Green, 22, lives on the street with her mum Karen Green, 50, between university term times.

But the Cardiff University biochemistry student said she couldn’t wait to return home and see the new paint job.

She said: ‘It’s brought a new dynamic to the street and neighbours are chatty, friendly and help each other out.

The houses ended up looking like the famous colourful homes in Tobermory and Bristol (Picture: SWNS)

‘I couldn’t wait to get back from university when I found out – I was so excited. It reminds me of Brighton where they have reinvigorated dull areas by painting the buildings.’

Karen has lived on the street for more than 25 years. She said it used to be occupied by pensioners and was ‘very dull’.

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The teaching assistant added: ‘I lived next to them and we didn’t speak for donkeys’ years.

‘It’s a lot different because everyone on the street is smiling at one another.You can feel a real positive energy and we hope it will travel through the whole city.’



Latvian Karlis Kozlovskis, 63, has lived on the street for 16 years.

He said: ‘It is great for the people here and for people passing by. It’s a good feeling and I’m pleased to see my neighbours smiling and I’m smiling too.’