Yahoo News Taylor Swift rumoured to be staying in the UK's poshest town - locals are preparing free gifts
Locals and shopkeepers in a Cotswolds town, where Taylor Swift is rumoured to be residing, are gearing up to shower her with complimentary gifts and have even selected potential outfits for her to purchase. The international pop sensation, Taylor Swift, is believed to have taken up residence in a rental property costing £3,000 per night, located near Diddly Squat Farm and the home of The Beckhams.
The acclaimed singer is reportedly using the luxurious accommodation in Great Tew, close to Chipping Norton, as a peaceful retreat during her sold-out Eras tour. The locale is a popular choice among celebrities, including The Beckhams, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, and David Cameron.
Taylor and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs footballer Travis Kelce, are anticipated to spend some time in the Cotswolds in the upcoming weeks. Swifties are hoping to spot the star might also consider visiting Jeremy Clarkson's shop on Diddly Squat Farm, which features on the popular Amazon Prime show, Clarkson's Farm.
Read more:
Local business owners have expressed their excitement about Swift's presence in the town and are preparing gifts and even outfit choices in local clothing stores for her. Her temporary residence is just a stone's throw away from Soho Farmhouse, an exclusive members-only club that charges an annual membership fee of £2,950.
The venue is a favourite among A-listers and high-profile individuals, and was even the location for Meghan Markle's hen party. One of only 33 Michelin Green Star restaurants in the country, The Trough at Daylesford Farm, is likely to be on Taylor's dining list.
The upscale restaurant offers a salad for £23 and a cheese tart for £18.50. A bottle of their finest red wine will set customers back by £55.
As Taylor and Travis approach their first anniversary together, perhaps they'll spend more time at home cooking. During a recent Kansas City Chiefs press conference, Travis said he "thoroughly" enjoys cooking with Taylor. "Taylor makes a great Pop-Tart and cinnamon roll", he spilled.
The Daylesford Farm shop boasts a stock of very expensive but quality organic foods - from fresh meats to a pack of five chocolate chip biscuits at £9.49. A pot of honey costs £10.99 and a punnet of juicy strawberries are £4.99. For veggie fans, a handful of purple asparagus goes for £8.99.
In Chipping Norton, businesses said they would welcome the singer with open arms. Justin Alderslade, 54, owns an independent shop Hyde and Home, selling unique gifts. He often serves Amanda Holden and her family and is excited to welcome Taylor Swift.
"I think she's very good for the industry and I think she's a really good role model. I think she'd probably like to have a look around here. I'd probably want to give her a free gift to encourage her to visit.
"If she popped in, I'd be very excited I think I'd have to have a photo taken, which I don't usually do. We need more excitement for around the town. Jeremy Clarkson has done really good things for the farming community, but, he doesn't come shopping here. We have Amanda Holden in quite a lot. She lives locally, so it's quite nice when she comes in; the staff are quite excited about it."
Sally Allen, 56, who operates Nutmeg, an independent women's clothing store, has selected an outfit for Taylor Swift in anticipation of her visit."I'm not surprised she's staying near Chipping Norton because it's such a gorgeous area everybody's friendly and lots of big names live here. She will love the countryside, the scenery is gorgeous.
"We have The Beckhams, Harry and Meghan have visited Soho [Farmhouse], we also have Simon Cowell, David Cameron, Jeremy Clarkson and Amanda Holden. I've seen David Beckham around town and Simon driving past in his car a few times.
"We've noticed an increase in traffic. I think it's because people are hoping to spot a celebrity. Even though they tend to reside in the villages rather than the town, people do come to town hoping to catch a glimpse of someone famous.
"I've chosen an outfit for her, the brand is FOIL, which is a designer brand. We sell a lot of them, it seems to be very popular. I could just see her wearing those colours, with some nice high cowboy boots or something, it'd look quite funky on her I'm sure."
However, local resident Mo Brown, 81, expressed concern that Taylor's visit to Chipping Norton might cause too much commotion. "I had heard she was here. I don't follow her music, but I see her everywhere, she's all over the place. I wouldn't mind seeing her, she's very attractive but there'll be an awful lot of people, so it might cause a bit of a disruption."
"I think she's staying in Great Tew, if not Soho Farmhouse. I think she's a very admirable person, she's amazing - look what she's achieved. But yeah, probably not the right fit for the town."
19-year-old Liam Reast, from Wales, is holidaying in Chipping Norton but has little interest in Taylor's potential visit. He said: "I'm not a big fan of her to be honest. If I bumped into her, it's a weird coincidence; I'd be lucky to, but I don't really care that much."
"Her music's ok to be fair, it's not something I'd ever listen to, I wouldn't really feel the need to take a photo with her. She's bought the place out for a few months, its about £3,000 a night and she's spent a million. It's crazy to have that sort of money."
"To buy out a cottage for that long as well is a bit unfair to other people, we're just here for a week. It's a love area, it's definitely a good place to be in nature. It's not it's the place to be if she's going to be coming back between Europe and here, she's going to be doing lots of flying. I don't know why she didn't just get hotels or cottages elsewhere, instead of having to fly in between."
