UK: Poets and writers are fighting to save a west London bookshop which served as the backdrop for the on-screen romance between Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the film 'Notting Hill'.

Record ID: 860153

  • Title: UK: Poets and writers are fighting to save a west London bookshop which served as the backdrop for the on-screen romance between Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the film 'Notting Hill'.
  • Date: 26th August 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE - APRIL 27, 1999) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) HUGH GRANT AND ELIZABETH HURLEY POSING FOR PICTURES JULIA ROBERTS ARRIVING AND TALKING TO PRESS NEW YORK, USA (FILE - MAY 13, 1999) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) HUGH GRANT ON RED CARPET JULIA ROBERTS AND BENJAMIN BRATT ARRIVING AND WALKING DOWN CARPET HOLLYWOOD, USA (FILE - FEBRUARY 14, 2011) (REUTERS ACCESS ALL) VARIOUS ALEC BALDWIN COLLECTING STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
  • Embargoed: 10th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVA3FVBHCJGI6KFN2JYCS2TV3GK4
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: As the future of London's famous Travel Bookshop hangs in the balance a team of writers and journalists are offering to work for free in a bid to stop the shop closing.
    The Travel Bookshop was the backdrop for 1999's hit romantic comedy "Notting Hill", but after three decades the owners have decided to move on and cease trading.
    On the big screen it was Hugh Grant's bumbling character Will who was in charge of the shop, the place he met actress Anna, played by Julia Roberts.
    Writer and broadcaster Ben Fogle, a regular customer, visited the store this week to express his concern that the local tourist hotspot might close.
    ''Notting Hill the film, this was the iconic location, and this is what attracts people to Notting Hill, they come here, this is actually probably the last remaining vestige of the Richard Curtis film anyway, so I think this would such a tragedy if it went away,'' he said.
    He is not the only celebrity to speak out about the potential closure, Alec Baldwin, who played Julia's boyfriend in the movie has taken to Twitter to offer his support to the campaign, urging people to save the store.
    A gesture that's been appreciated by locals, including writer Simon Barraclough.
    ''He (Alec Baldwin) has been tweeting and re-tweeting, he's probably got several million followers so it's good of him to get involved. Each day we get more and more interest more people sending emails wanting to volunteer and maybe help out in the shop.'' Adventure Ben is one of those who would like, if he can, to be involved.
    ''To tell you the truth I am away quite a lot so I don't know how much I'd be able to do that but I would love to be involved some how, because it's such a part of Notting Hill, this is what makes Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill Gate,'' he said.
    Founded in 1979 the store was placed on the market in May, but no buyers have come forward to purchase the shop.
    A closing down sale is now being held.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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