Primrose Hill residents say their street is being “pimped” out for the sake of tourist profit as Airbnb announces the opening of a Paddington Bear experience for three nights only.
The Paddington film franchise has already earned a cult following since the release of its first two titles, documenting the life of the Peruvian bear living with the Brown family at the fictional Windsor Gardens in London.
Despite the films’ success, locals who live in Chalcot Crescent, where Windsor Gardens and Paddington’s home was set, are already raising concerns that their picturesque street is being overrun by tourists and social media influencers.
Now, ahead of the UK November release of the third film in the franchise, Paddington in Peru, Airbnb has announced it is temporarily transforming a house into a replica of Paddington’s home for three families to stay for just three nights.
While the transformation will only be for two weeks, residents, including brand and retail expert Mary Portas, have complained that their street is now being “pimped for profit”.
In a group letter written by residents, obtained by the local paper the Camden New Journal, they said that while their street has been frequently visited by tourists throughout the years, “it is the Paddington franchise to date that has created the current flow of tourists”.
“An expensive media campaign will only amplify this and have an increased negative impact on all of our lives,” the residents wrote.
“Overall, we are getting tired of feeling that our street is being pimped by corporations for their profit.”
Airbnb has run similar projects in the past targeting loyal fans, such as renting out Prince’s Purple Rain house from the 1984 classic film or offering stays at Ted Lasso’s favourite pub in Richmond.
The short-term rental company is slated to donate £20,000 to the Primrose Hill Community Association, a local group that runs events and activities within the area, as part of their agreement. It has also invited local residents to look inside the renovated house and attend an exclusive screening of Paddington in Peru.
However, locals say that “the project is getting in the way of the locals…
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