A street in north London, thrust into the limelight by its appearances in a hit movie, has seen its residents erupt in anger at the throngs of tourists descending on their homes.
Now, the ire of locals is being directed at online booking site Airbnb, which is running a competition for three families to stay in a house on Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, to mark the release of Paddington in Peru next month.
Speaking to the BBC, Labour councillor Matt Cooper said: “I’ve seen people taking selfies right in front of someone’s living room window, and you’re thinking, you know, if that was me, I’d be a bit annoyed to have my living room put straight on Instagram.”
According to the BBC, Airbnb has said it’s spending a fortnight doing up a property on the street to resemble the film set for three days of stays.
The renovation will see the facade painted blue, five parking spaces occupied and is likely to generate noise pollution, according to the national broadcaster.
Residents are said to have written to Airbnb, complaining that their street’s over-tourism issues will be exacerbated by their competition.
The row is “the straw breaking the camel’s back,” says Cllr Cooper.
Airbnb has told the BBC that it has not disclosed the precise location of the house they’re renovating and will be making a “sizeable donation” to the Primrose Hill Community Association.
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