London Residents Clash With Airbnb Over ‘Paddington’ House Competition
Paddington’s London Home Becomes a Tourist Attraction, But Locals are FED UP
Londoners in Primrose Hill are up in arms over a new Airbnb competition that’s transforming a London street into Paddington’s home, just in time for the release of “Paddington in Peru”. The competition, which offers three families the chance to stay on Chalcot Crescent, has locals feeling like their street is being turned into a “giant photo opportunity”.
The picturesque street, which has long been a hit with Instagram enthusiasts, has become a hotspot for tourists looking to capture the perfect shot. But residents are no longer thrilled about it. “We’re tired of the street being a tourist attraction,” said one local, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s getting in the way of our lives.”
The competition, which starts on November 3, is part of Airbnb’s partnership with Warner Bros. to promote the film. The property has been transformed to look like 32 Windsor Gardens, the fictional home of Paddington Bear and his adoptive family. But some locals are calling it a “publicity stunt” and “pimping out our street for profit”.
Interestingly, Airbnb did make donations to local community initiatives, including a food program and a library, as part of the partnership. The company also promises to be in direct conversation with local residents throughout the redecoration process. However, the damage may already be done, with locals feeling like their street has been taken over by tourists.
It’s not the first time Airbnb has created immersive stay experiences based on popular movies and TV shows. The company previously listed a hot-pink, multi-story home in Malibu that recreated Barbie’s Malibu Dream House, and offered the chance to stay overnight at a pub in Richmond, London, featured in the Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso”.