BUSINESSES in Winchester have confirmed Netflix will be back filming The Crown in the coming days.
College Street will be closed on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14 as stars from the hit Netflix show are due to return just weeks after leaving the cathedral.
Although the filming is anticipated to bring a “buzz” to the area, bookshop P & G Wells is expecting trade to drop amid the road restrictions.
Retail assistant Dominic Lepage, 26, said: “We were a bit concerned about sales as filming has previously affected them negatively. It does pick up after though so it’s not too much of a worry.
"It’s good that Winchester is being included.”
READ MORE: The Crown: Netflix arrives at Winchester Cathedral
While the bookshop employee was unaware of what the filming is for, Cornflower Gift Shop owner Martin Smart admitted it is for The Crown. He said: “We were informed about the road closure by the Netflix film crew.
“Last time they were here they had to close the road and change the shop for the set. We don’t know what they’ll be doing this time.”
Martin’s wife and co-owner Heather Smart added: “It’s good to let people know we’re still open and it’s great to see our wonderful city being represented.”
The Wykeham Arms, based on the corner of Kingsgate Street, is hoping to get some more famous faces through its doors after serving leading actor Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles, when The Crown was filming at the Cathedral near the end of January.
Manager Jon Howard, 49, said: “This is the third or fourth time they’ve filmed here. The first time was great, the windows were blacked out and they built a bomb crate outside. We even had John Lithgow, who was playing Churchill, come in for Sunday lunch.
“It’s great. We’re always happy to offer our services here as a places for actors to come and chill out. College Street is quite closed off anyway so customer flow remains the same and it brings a real buzz to the area.
“It’s always nice if one or two of the stars come in and it gives us that extra interest and exposure.”
The pub manager said he was informed of the upcoming road closure by production company Left Bank Pictures.
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Winchester College has previously been used as a substitute for Eton in the popular Netflix series but the school declined to comment on the upcoming filming and if they’re involved.
As well as College Street being closed from 8am and 6.30pm on February 13 and 14 between its junction with Kingsgate Street and College Walk, a parking suspension has been enforced from Sunday, February 12 until 7pm on Tuesday, February 14.
Residents with zones W and C permits will be able to use any carpark in the meantime.
The Crown, which follows the lives of the Royal family, is currently filming for its sixth series. Much of the cast remains the same from season five with actors including Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Elizabeth Debicki as Diana and Dominic West as Prince Charles.
Netflix has been contacted for comment.
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