Our neighbour painted her home bright PINK – now it’s up for sale and we’re really worried the new owner could change it
RESIDENTS who live next to an iconic bright pink home say they’ll be devastated if the new owner changes the colour as it goes up for sale.
Original owner Kathy Charles painted the semi-detached property in the luminous “Barbie-style” shade simply because of her love for the colour.
Famously known in the small Nottingham suburb of Toton, it’s been dubbed the Pink House.
Kathy passed away aged 67 following a short illness and the property has since been put on the market.
Her former neighbours, who knew her as the Pink Lady, have now said they would be devastated if it was to be repainted.
Maxine Davis, who helped garden for Kathy, told the Sun Online that her home is a landmark.
She said: “She was a lovely, amazing lady and we’d say to anyone who buys her house ‘Please keep it pink!’.
“It must not change colour, it would be a shame.
“People have to realise it is a Toton landmark. It must stay!”
Kathy was divorced and had no kids but kept all kinds of pets – including Tarantula spiders.
Obsessed with having everything pink, the chimney and all of the furniture inside the home was also in the bright shade.
Locals recall seeing Kathy, who had pink hair, walk the streets dressed head-to-toe in the colour.
At one stage, she was even contemplating painting the drive pink – but didn’t want the wheels of her car to wreck it.
The property is now being sold for £230,000 with hopes new owners won’t make any changes.
Maxine’s husband Roy gave the house a fresh lick of paint just a few years ago.
He said: “I like the colour but it might not be to everyone’s taste.
“It has been pink for years and me and my mate painted it again for her two or three years ago.
“I think it is fabulous and Kathy loved it.”
“She was a character. She would even walk her pet lizard, this huge feet long thing, down the road and she would wear everything pink.”
Tracey Broadhurst, who also lives in the peaceful and colourful street, said: “We’d hate to lose the Pink House, it’s sad enough without having Kathy here any more.
“She was so cheerful and always smiling and waving.
“It would be such a shame to the local community if it wasn’t kept pink to remember Kathy. Everyone around here knows it.
“But I guess anybody buying it may think differently!”
Kathy’s parents Kath and Syd Platt said they would love it if their late daughter’s home remained the same.
Kath, 88, said: “It is a very unusual colour but we would like it to stay pink.
“Houses today seem to be all grey and white, very dull.
“It is very colourful and it may not be everyone’s liking but it would be lovely if it was kept pink for Kathy.
“It’s even known on the other side of the world!
“A dog walker friend said her son living in Australia had read about the Pink House up for sale!
“She just liked having fun and she loved pink, and as well as her house being pink inside and out, all her clothes were pink too.”
Paying tribute to her daughter, Kath said: “She was a happy go lucky person and friends with everybody.
“We are heartbroken at losing her, she had so much to live for. We miss her so much.
“When she died people donated £650,000 which was all given to RSPCA charities.”
Kath, whose husband has recently celebrated his 95th birthday, told how Kathy had always lived in the street and was “known by everyone around.”
Kathy was born and grew up in the family house next door but one to the property she eventually bought and painted pink.
A bench has since been placed in a nearby park in memory of Kathy.
The plaque reads: “In loving memory of our ‘Kathy’, known as ’The Pink Lady of Toton.’
“Reunited with her beloved dog ‘Ozzie” on 9 March 2023.”