Now Mr Smith is set on keeping it in the seaside town where it was created, as “the work was done for a purpose – to benefit the town”.
He said: “I first emailed Banksy’s office two-years-ago on the off chance that he would do something in Herne Bay for an art festival I’m putting together.”
After emailing right up until the week before the art’s unfortunate end, he eventually got the response that his proposals would be put in front of the elusive artist.
But on March 14, he was shown an Instagram post of the crumbled building by his girlfriend.
Mr Smith said: “I felt disbelief and shock when I heard the news. I worked hard to make this happen – so I’m more heartbroken than most.
“I spent so long badgering him to do a piece – and now he has – but no one can see it.”
Valuable work
He believes it would be an “awful coincidence” if his emails were not the catalyst for the street-artist hitting Herne Bay.
Mr Smith, a street-art collector and occasional dealer, hopes developers Kitewood will return the work to the town and display it for all to see.
Mr Smith estimates that after being restored, the art could be worth £300,000 to £500,000.
Kitewood has been approached for comment.
