[Deleted]

... went up and down Roseberry Avenue on the bus yesterday and saw that the 'cashpoint robot' image was now visible (after a few years behind metal).

Much to the confusion of the other passengers, I managed to jump up and snap a photo with my phone.

I didn't know it had been defaced. I always assumed the owner was safeguarding it for later sale.

BTW - The cafe next door is now the Banksy Bagel Something or other!!!

[tickz]

madness!

[fuzzed]

how odd! Thanks for sharing!

[howlinhooker]

should be banksy donuts.........not bagels !!!!!!

[rowan]

Thats just wrong in so many ways!! Banksy Bagels

[m@san]

Article halfway down here:

www.thecnj.co.uk/islington/2009/101609/inews101609_01.html

Renewed interest in Banksy as cashpoint stencil is withdrawn

Café boss is given permission to uncover one of graffiti star’s most-loved pieces of street art

A RARE work by guerrilla street artist Banksy has been uncovered in Farringdon.
The stencil, one of the few Banksy is known to return and add to, was uncovered at the junction of Rosebery Avenue and Farringdon Road last week (Monday) after being concealed for more than a year.
Banksy fans will be familiar with his depiction of a cash machine dishing out notes featuring Princess Diana’s face in Rosebery Avenue but will know it’s been covered up by a metal grille for some time.
The piece is believed to be particularly important to the elusive artist as he has transformed it three times. Originally, it was a simple rat. Then it became a cash machine and finally he added a mechanical arm which reaches out to attack a girl. It was uncovered by staff from next door café Banksy Bagel Bar – a homage to all things Banksy.
Café owner Mark Ellis asked the landlord’s permission to uncover the work and promised to protect it with Perspex.
He said: “I’ve known it’s been there for quite some time. It’s an important piece because there are not many Banksys left around this area.”
Mr Ellis, who used to be a graffiti artist himself, said he opened the café because sandwich shops in the area were too expensive.
He said: “I get my bagels from Brick Lane. So I decided to do something the people in the area can afford. My teas are 60p and bagels are a couple of quid.”
Mr Ellis said he chose the Banksy theme because he’s always been a fan.
“I used to spray-paint when I was a kid but Banksy’s the man,” he added. “I’ve protected it with perspex and nobody can touch it. It looks pukka. I’ve made it a nice local history point.”
Passers-by have welcomed the revival.
One said “the more Banksy, the better”, while another, Roland Mayer, said: “It’s brilliant that it’s back, I was sorry when it was covered up.”