Do YOU have a story? Email freya.barnes@dailymail.co.uk By ROBERT FOLKER, NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:56 BST, 18 September 2025 | Updated: 15:26 BST, 18 September 2025
A homeowner painted a giant Union Jack on the front of his house in a 'quiet' protest against illegal immigration - but his neighbours have been left unimpressed. Simon Brocklehurst, 41, spent 12 hours plastering the huge flag on his four-bed terraced home, leaving locals fearful that property prices on the street will plummet.The welder's patriotic gesture came after his neighbours in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, tore down a St George's cross he had flying in the front garden of his home - just two doors down from a Chinese takeaway.Mr Brocklehurst admits his response has made him 'public enemy number one' in the market town - where the average home costs £205,935 - but insists he's mainly received praise for his display.The father-of-three said: 'It started off as a St George's cross but my intention was always to turn it into the Union Flag.'I don't think it will affect house prices that much. There's an abandoned pub and a derelict house a few doors down, surely that will have more of an impact'And even if it has, I'm not planning on moving anywhere. I've lived here since I was five years old. It's just a quick paint job anyway.'All I'm doing is trying to bring a bit if hope. If it makes one person smile and feel patriotic, then I've done my job.' Mr Brocklehurst said he painted the Union Flag on his house over three days this week as part of a 'peaceful protest' without joining anti-illegal immigration marches Mr Brocklehurst admits his response has seen him become 'public enemy number one' but insists he's mainly received praise for his display Simon Brocklehurst spent 12 hours plastering the huge flag on his four-bed terraced home, which has left locals fearful that property prices in the area will plummetHowever, some locals have said they worry the 'garish' red, white and blue paint-job would now devalue their own homes if they wanted to sell up.One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'It just sticks out like a sore thumb doesn't it? I don't know what he's thinking really.'It is going to lower house prices along the street, who would want to live by that, it's a bit of a garish mess. It looks really out of place, it's a shame.'I don't have a strong opinion one way or another about all this flag flying - but I know they don't belong plastered all over the front of your house..'However, another neighbour disagreed and added: 'We think it looks great and brightens up the area. I don't know why people are moaning.'Mr Brocklehurst first painted the St George's cross on the front of his home last week after having his England flag ripped down by disgruntled neighbours.But he transformed it into a Union Flag over three days this week as part of a 'peaceful protest' without joining anti-illegal immigration marches. Pictured: Mr Brocklehurst's home earlier this year before he decided to cover it with the huge flags The 41-year-old welder's patriotic gesture came after his neighbours on the street in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, tore down a St George's cross which he had been flying in his front garden Some locals have said they worry the 'garish' red, white and blue paint-job would now devalue their own homes if they wanted to sell up.He said: 'I don't think anybody can be offended by a flag really.'I do support the Raise the Colours movement and I would have gone to the protest in London but I decided to do my own quiet protest here.'All the hate appears to be coming from social media Facebook warriors but in real life I've had no complaints and experienced mainly positive comments.'There's been a couple of people saying negative things in person but mainly everybody loves it as far as I can tell.'I didn't expect to get all the abuse online, but people are entitled to their opinions. I'm public enemy number one at the moment.'But without this flag you wouldn't have freedom of speech, so I respect their right to say what they want about it.'I have no plans to paint over it, it will stay like this until somebody orders me to remove it.'But this is my house and this is how I've decided to paint it. It's a sign of being proud of the country where I am from.'
