M&S transforms a West London street for new Christmas ad

The nights may still be light and hopes of an Indian summer still strong…but a small corner of West London is currently looking a lot like Christmas, as Marks and Spencer film their annual festive advert. 

Residents in a street in the capital have watched as a production crew have transformed a row of Victorian houses  with twinkling lights and snow cannons. 

A classic MG parked in the street also gets a dusting of snow. 

 

Faux snow! A model in the new Marks and Spencers Christmas advert blinks fake snow from her eyes as she stands outside Kate’s Toy Emporium, a fictional street created for the high street goliath’s latest offering

It’s only September! Wearing a camel coat, cream beret and smart ankle boots, the advert’s apparent star was spotted strolling down the mocked-up Christmas scene in West London this week

There was no sign of Take That, the commercial’s rumoured stars, although the model is seen walking past a guitar shop, which suggests there may be a musical surprise to the ad. Right: The advert’s star is seen carrying a bright red and gold bag from the high street chain

While Take That are rumoured stars of the high street giant’s ad this year, there’s no sign of the band, although the advert’s star, a brunette model, is seen walking past a guitar shop. 

Wearing a camel coat and a white beret, the model strolls down a fictional festive high-street, appearing to stroll past the Zander Guitar Studio and stop outside Kate’s Toy Emporium.

Retro? A row of terraces are transformed via snow canons and twinkling lights as a camera man sets up the  production. A classic MG suggests that the filming could be taking viewers back in time

Winter’s coming: A member of the production crew holds the snow canons that whiten the gardens and pavement of the Victorian terraces in the upmarket street

Lights, stars in the window and trees make these houses – number 19 and number 17 – appear ready for the man in red, despite it being only September

The Christmas commercial is key to strong festive sales on the high street, with many of the UK’s major stores spending millions trying to lure in shoppers

Classic car for a classic ad? The MG is parked on the side of the road, with production equipment seen in the background

According to a report in the Sun, Take That are tipped to definitely make an appearance, with festive surprises the key message.  

While M&S may be looking to Take That to boost yuletide sales, John Lewis is said to have Elton John lined up for the latest incarnation of its famous Christmas commercial.  

Another scene sees the apparent protagonist of this year’s ad carrying two bags as she walks past a shop selling electric guitars

Another scene sees the shopper this time wearing a more casual black coat with a hood and on-trend hound’s tooth yellow and black mini-skirt. Right: In a less snowy scene, the actress is seen turning to face the cameras, revealing a smart brown leather bag

In the face of a 98.8 per cent profit crash for the first half of the year, viewers might question whether a more low-key ad might be more appropriate for the beleaguered store.  

John Lewis officially re-launched its re-brand this month, as the group looks to boost its fortunes during a difficult period for the high street.

The John Lewis department store chain and supermarket Waitrose became John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners, unveiling a new logo at John Lewis’s flagship Oxford Street store.

The rise of online shopping has taken numerous casualties, most recently House of Fraser, which was snapped up by Sports Direct boss Mike Astley over the summer.

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