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 Emma Thompson
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Actress Emma’s shops plea lights up village
ACTRESS Emma Thompson switched on the Christmas lights in Hampstead on Thursday – and pleaded with watching crowds to support the village’s independent shops.
Ms Thompson, who grew up in West Hampstead and still lives in the area, switched on the lights outside Mirage Boutique in Hampstead High Street.
She urged spectators: “Go to Louis’ and Maxwell’s and the Coffee Cup for a lovely warm cup of coffee and hot chocolate – and look for the little pieces of my heart that are strewn all over Hampstead.”
Later, she told the New Journal: “If we want to keep Hampstead special, we have to stop the mobile phone shops and estate agents taking over the street. We had the same problem in West Hampstead.” She added: “I had my 16th birthday in Calamity Jane. We used to go to Louis’ and the Coffee Cup and Maxwell’s all the time. Places like these are special. Starbucks just doesn’t cut it.”
Ms Thompson’s comments were echoed by broadcaster and TV presenter Matthew Wright, who switched on Primrose Hill’s Christmas lights on Thursday.
As crowds thronged the pavement outside Anna’s boutique in Regent’s Park Road to hear children from St Paul’s School sing Christmas carols, Mr Wright, who lives in Primrose Hill, said: “There are no multiple retailers on this street, which is what makes it special. We have to keep it that way.”
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