Bromley’s Been Given A Sprinkle of Christmas Magic By the John Lewis Festive TV Ad

November 20, 2020

The John Lewis Christmas advert has become one of the hallmarks of the festive season and this year’s opening and closing scenes were filmed in the borough of Bromley.

The advert begins with a young boy whose football has become stuck in a tree. The filming for this took place on the roundabout in Friar Road, Orpington. The local houses and post-box were dressed up with Christmas decorations and fake snow was added to give it a traditional Christmas feel.

Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “Eagle-eyed local people will already know about this as news quickly spread on the day of the filming, with arrangements made by our film agent, Bromley Film Fixer. Fortunately, the snow was only for effect rather than winter arriving extremely early, but it does demonstrate the extraordinary depth and breadth of filming opportunities our borough presents.  We were pleased to be able to support this filming request and others, with any surplus income supporting heritage projects.”

Bromley’s Film Officer Rhian Sharpe, the Bromley Film Fixer spokesperson said, “We are happy to confirm our involvement with 2020’s John Lewis/Waitrose and Partners Christmas Campaign.  This was a ‘borough first’ and as such, it was a pleasure working with the locations and creative teams to help produce a campaign with such a wonderful message as we come to the end of a difficult 2020.”

The two-minute film is made up of nine animated vignettes by eight different artists, each depicting an act of kindness which inspires the recipient to pass on the goodwill. Brit-award winner Celeste wrote the original song, called Give a Little Love.

The advert ends, back on the roundabout in Orpington with the young boy and the message ‘Give A Little Love’ written in the sky above, while an animated plane flies overhead.

This year’s advert also aims to help at least 100,000 struggling families with food, comfort, and emotional support. It aims to raise £5 million for charities Fare Share and Home-Start.