A CITY wide cleaning programme costing £90,000 is set to make Southampton a more attractive and enjoyable place to live, work and visit.

Southampton's Business Improvement District (BID) GO! Southampton has partnered up with Southampton City Council to clean the city’s streets in a Big City Clean.

Since January 11 and until March 31, the clean will remove some high level graffiti and give a deep clean to the pavements, including gum removal.

Rebecca Handley, operations director of GO! Southampton said: "We’ve been working closely with the Council for quite some time now to start a big clean-up programme – and as the city celebrates making the long list for UK City of Culture 2025, plus with the new year now upon us, it’s the perfect time for a fresh start.

"As the battle continues with the pandemic, we want people to feel as safe as possible, but a deep clean will also strip back the grit and grime to reveal a city that is more welcoming to visit, as well as a more inviting place to live, work and socialise."

The clean will start at Above Bar Street and will continue along to The Marlands, Bedford Place/Winchester Street, Guildhall, West Bargate, High Street (as far as Eastgate), Hanover Buildings/East Street, London Road and Commercial Road.

All cleaning takes place late in the evenings to prevent daytime disruption where possible.

The cleaning programme has been part-funded by GO! Southampton, Southampton City Council and the Welcome Back Fund, which provides councils across England with a share of £56 million to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic.

It will also include targeted cleaning projects in Woolston, Portswood, Bitterne, Lordshill and Shirley.

Deputy Leader and cabinet member for growth at Southampton City Council, Cllr Jeremy Moulton, said: "The deep clean activities that we’re going to be able to carry out due to the monies received from the Welcome Back fund will help us to not only support the safe return to high streets and build back better from the pandemic, but will also showcase Southampton in the best possible light for residents, visitors, businesses and potential investors.

"While we recognise that Covid is still very much with us, it is also necessary to cautiously plan for the future and ensure that the city centre and district neighbourhoods are clean and inviting places to visit."