If Richard Curtis had shot his romcom classic Notting Hill over the past month, things might have turned out very differently.
Julia Roberts would have had to stumble past huge concrete blocks while losing the hand of her British sweetheart and Hugh Grant might have missed his departing lover as he struggled to exit the area in an overstuffed Peugeot 406.
This is because of new rules that ban all cars from Portobello Road between 10am and 4pm, where much of the 1999 film was shot. In some sections of the famed street market the restrictions cover the whole week, while in others only three days. To enforce the new rules, large grey concrete slabs and garish red barriers have been placed along the street.
Amid the bustle of Portobello Road market on Friday afternoon, tourists were lining up outside Will Thacker’s famed blue door to have their picture taken. “It feels like I’m watching the movie again,” said Ella, 14, a fan of the hit romantic comedy. Metres away from the door, which was replaced after being sold at auction for £5,750 in 1999, sat the concrete blocks and imposing barriers.
If Notting Hill were filmed today, the visible restrictions “would take away” from the movie, said Ella’s mother, Katie Alasky. The barriers and travel restrictions were put in place on the advice of counter-terror police who have warned of the potential threat of vehicle attacks.
Charlotte Preval-Reed: “If Notting Hill was filmed here today, I think it would look a bit sad.” Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
The 44-year-old lawyer, who was visiting London from New Orleans, said: “We love it here, it’s a great atmosphere with all of the stands and the unique things, minus the barriers. It’s so unfortunate – seeing them is a sign of how we live now.”
James Darcy, 33, who works in construction, has seen Notting Hill about “20 times”. He was visiting the blue door from Melbourne, Australia. “If filmed today, it probably wouldn’t be the same, that’s for sure.” While he acknowledged the new restrictions had been imposed for everybody’s safety, he said they detracted “from the historic and vintage vibe”.
While some regard the roadblocks as an eyesore, there have been practical and financial consequences for market traders. Some have struggled to restock their stalls as vehicles are not allowed behind the barriers before 4pm.
Charlotte Preval-Reed, 47, sells prints that promote “positive thoughts”. “If Notting Hill was filmed here today, I think it would look a bit sad,” she said.
Hugh Grant in the 1999 film Notting Hill. Photograph: Polygram Filmed Entertainment/Allstar
Preval-Reed said business had been significantly affected by the measures and that footfall had plummeted since they had been erected. She said it had been “100% the worst” period of trading since Covid.
“If it carries on, I could potentially not be able to run my business at all because it just wouldn’t be worth it in terms of how much of an income loss I’ve suffered,” she said.
Local residents have also been affected. “I’m not a designer but I’m sure I could design something better than that,” said Patrick Somers, 65, a former lawyer who lives in a side-road behind the market.
Somers said people had only found out about the restrictions a few days before they had been implemented on 1 July. He is now leading a legal challenge, with the help of the law firm Broadfield, on behalf of residents and traders against Kensington and Chelsea council, who enacted the changes.
“They have not thought this through. We’ve got all sorts of unintended consequences here,” said Somers. He feared the curtailed access could pose a danger in an emergency situation.
Patrick Somers: ‘I’m sure I could design something better than that.’ Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
“My wife’s mother was very ill and unfortunately died in April. We had a call that she was getting to that end-of-life stage in the middle of the afternoon.” If the barriers had been in place at the time, they would not have been able to drive out of his road, Somers said.
Recently, an ambulance had been unable to get past barriers to attend to a child who was having respiratory problems, Somers said. “The ambulance arrived but couldn’t get in.” They parked farther away and had to carry “huge backpacks” with them, but “didn’t have the right equipment so had to go all the way back again”.
Somers said the child was fine in the end but “might not have been”.
He said: “We can’t be having a situation where there’s not easy access for an emergency vehicle.” The council said emergency services had been consulted about the scheme and maintained they were able to access the road.
Somers conceded that the area did need anti-terror measures, as long as they were introduced in the right way. “There should be bollards but they’ve done it in the wrong way. We’ve seen them being implemented and managed really effectively in other parts of London.”
Anna Twigg, right, with her mother, Dolina, thought the slabs were great for sitting on. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
While the concrete slabs are meant to be a security deterrent, many tourists are using them for something else. “They’re great for sitting,” said Anna Twigg, 39, an artist who was visiting London from Oban, Scotland, with her mother, Dolina, 65, a former social worker.
The two women agreed there should be some form of barrier to act as an anti-terror measure, but thought there was room for improvement. “They could be a wee bit more attractive,” said Dolina.
A Kensington and Chelsea council spokesperson said: “Our top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the community and we believe the current measures strike a reasonable balance between protecting the public and supporting the needs of individuals.
“We continue to speak with residents and businesses, addressing concerns case by case to help inform proposals for a permanent scheme.”
