Black Mirror filming in Croydon: Londoners' glee at retro film set for latest Charlie Brooker series
Londoners were delighted as Croydon was transported back to the 1980s with a set of retro-style shopfronts for filming of the latest Black Mirror series.
According to local reports, the popular Netflix show is filming its latest series on St George's Walk in south London this week.
And excitement mounted in the area as the street was transformed by set pieces such as a vintage WHSmith shop kitted out with music and books from the era.
Residents and business owners shared pictures online of a letter, sent by film production company Ealing Studios, explaining that filming for the show will take place in the town centre.
YO CROYDON: Black Mirror is gonna be filmed in St George's Walk next week 😎 pic.twitter.com/pa8VdzUU3L
— Jonny Rose (@98rosjon) April 19, 2018
It read: “I am writing to inform you about filming in your area for the well-known Netflix drama series, Black Mirror.
"If you are unfamiliar with Black Mirror, it is a series of sharp, suspenseful, satirical standalone dramas written by Charlie Brooker.
"It is hugely popular with its audience and strives to use beautiful locations within all the films."
80’s #Croydon .. #BlackMirror pic.twitter.com/o05o6awpIa
— Mr Mii Too (@PlayboyP) April 25, 2018
The set also includes fast-food restaurants Wimpy and Pizza Hut, images online showed.
Hive of activity at St. George’s Walk Croydon. It’s Christmas at WH Smith. There’s a Wimpy, Chelsea Girl clothes store, FADS DIY Store, Soleil travel agency, Pizza Hut. It’s gone complete 80s #blackmirror pic.twitter.com/jFou1UPh8D
— Lee (@CosmicScale) April 24, 2018
And one-time high street fashion brand Chelsea Girl makes an appearance alongside a FADS DIY store and a Soleil travel agency.
Locals shared their glee at the nostalgic stores on Twitter.
One woman, known as @Bugeyebank on the site, said: "They seem to be creating a whole 80s high street with Chelsea Girl, Wimpy and travel agents. Love it!"
While Stephen Hardy said: "Love casually walking pass the Black Mirror set assembly in Croydon on my lunch break. Today I spotted a Wimpy being assembled."
And Steve Wiseman asked: "Could someone nip into the Croydon Black Mirror 1984 WHSmith & get me a couple of LP record boxes (blue), a turntable mounted record cleaning brush, a £10 record token & a copy of David Sylvian's 'Brilliant Trees' album (it's number 11 in the Chart racks)."