Bedford Borough Council has announced it has been selected as one of 52 councils nationwide to receive funding from the Chewing Gum Task Force, to tackle chewing gum litter in Bedford town centre. The grant, nearly £30,000, will support a targeted clean-up and ongoing behavioural change project on Mill Street, Silver Street, and Midland Road (up to River Street), starting August 2025 and concluding by the end of October.
Chewing gum litter is a persistent and costly problem across the UK, with an estimated £7 million spent annually on removal and 77% of England’s streets stained by gum. The Chewing Gum Task Force, funded by major manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, is investing up to £10 million over five years to help councils clean up gum and change behaviours to prevent littering in the first place.
Bedford’s project will use the funding to purchase consumables for specialist gum-cleaning equipment and hire additional operatives dedicated to the task. Alongside the deep clean, the council will join a national “Keep it, Bin it” campaign to encourage residents, workers, shoppers, and visitors to dispose of chewing gum responsibly.
Councillor Nicola Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said, “We know how frustrating gum on pavements can be for residents and businesses. It’s unsightly, hard to remove, and gives the wrong impression of our wonderful town. This funding, from the companies who make chewing gum, means we can give these sites in Bedford town centre a fresh start and encourage everyone to bin their gum, not drop it. Together, we can make Bedford town centre an even better place to live, work, and visit.”
The council reminds the public that dropping gum on pavements is littering and can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150, escalating to fines up to £2,500 if prosecuted. For more information or to report littering, visit www.bedford.gov.uk/litter
This initiative is part of a wider government strategy to support high street regeneration and community pride, with proven success showing up to an 80% reduction in gum litter in funded areas within two months.
For further details on the Chewing Gum Task Force and the national campaign, visit Keep Britain Tidy’s website and the government’s official pages.