Chewing Gum Removal Services London

Case Study: Large-Scale Chewing Gum Removal at Brixton Academy

Client: Brixton Academy (O2 Academy Brixton)

Location: London, UK

Service: Professional Chewing Gum Removal

Company: LBC Exterior Cleaning

Project Date 2024 

Overview

The iconic Brixton Academy is one of London’s most well-known live music venues, hosting world-class performers and attracting thousands of visitors every week. With such high footfall, the exterior walkways and entrance areas of the Academy faced a growing issue: thousands of unsightly, hardened pieces of discarded chewing gum.

Left untreated, this gum not only spoiled the appearance of the venue but also posed a long-term maintenance challenge — requiring a professional cleaning solution that would restore the venue’s image while protecting the underlying surfaces.

Project Brief

LBC Exterior Cleaning was called in to tackle this demanding project. The scope involved:

• The removal of thousands of pieces of chewing gum from entrance steps, pavements, and public-facing surfaces.
• Restoring aesthetic appeal for upcoming high-profile re opening.
• Completing the work safely and efficiently in a busy, urban environment.
• Poor Drainage on the Venue.

Chewing Gum Removal Process

For a job of this scale, our team used a combination of specialist gum removal equipment and low-pressure steam cleaning (also known as DOFF cleaning), which offers several key advantages:

 High-temperature steam softens and removes gum residues without damaging surfaces.

Sometimes tarmac can be a lot softer such as in school playgrounds and damage to the surface could be possible with steam cleaning to remove gum. For that reason we have other less agressive methods for when the surface is not suitable for close up steam cleaning.

 Rapid cleaning capability — ideal for high-footfall, time-sensitive environments.

In the case of Brixton Academy, surface types varied from stone to concrete and hard tarmac all requiring tailored cleaning techniques to achieve optimal results without surface damage.

Project Execution

• The project was completed over a week, with works scheduled to avoid interference with other contractors.
• Our team operated using portable steam cleaning units to ensure flexibility around the venue’s layout.
• Over 10,000 pieces of chewing gum were successfully removed.
• Final rinse and surface neutralisation ensured a clean, uniform appearance across all treated areas.
• Drainage solution provided by LBC. The venues internal aco channel system could not cope with the volume of water produced in the removal process. We used a specialist revery and pump out system to divert water to suitable drainage.

The Result

The transformation was striking:

 The venue’s entrance and surrounding footpaths were restored to a clean, professional standard.

 The unsightly gum deposits were fully removed, improving first impressions for visitors.

 The cleaning contributed to venue readiness for major events, enhancing public and client satisfaction.

Watch the Project in Action

 Watch our video case study on YouTube

This short video highlights the scale of the project and the advanced methods used to deliver results.

Conclusion

LBC Exterior Cleaning has developed a reputation for delivering specialist cleaning projects at London’s most iconic venues. Our work at Brixton Academy demonstrates how professional chewing gum removal can restore high-profile spaces, ensuring they reflect the quality and prestige expected by visitors and clients alike.

If your business or venue faces similar challenges, get in touch — we’ll be happy to provide a tailored solution.