Thousands of people flocked to celebrate the makeover of the high street at the first ever St John's Wood Festival.
Sunday's event celebrated the regeneration of the thoroughfare and its “recovery from the dark days of the pandemic”.
The scheme included new trees, benches, and wider paving, to create what organisers called "a fine example of a community and retail hub".
Shops, cafes and restaurants offered discounts, special tastings, and demonstrations to a background of live music including a jazz trio from the Regent’s Park Music Festival.
The High Street was closed to vehicles and transformed into a fashion runway - with retailers joining forces to put on a community fashion show.
Bringing a new definition to ‘Street Style’, Anna Calka-Fenton, store manager of Reiss, introduced models to the red carpet to show off local clothes shops and hairdressers.
As the models departed it was the turn of the pampered pets to take part in a Pooch Parade to showcase local pet shop and groomers, St John’s Pets, and introduce new veterinary practice, Creature Comforts.
Children’s activities included a scavenger hunt, cake decorating, tile painting, dance classes and sports fun courtesy of Lord’s cricket ground with Peppa Pig even making an appearance alongside Westminster Lord Mayor Robert Rigby.
The event raised funds for St John’s Hospice, a charity which provides free care for more than 4,000 people across North London each year.
The festival, was organised by The St John’s Wood Society, with help from Regent’s Park and Abbey Road Wards councillors.
Society chairman Dick Schumacher said: “This is a major milestone in the life of this community. From the pandemic, with closed restaurants and shops, to this bustling and lively High Street is certainly worth celebrating. The remodelled street with extended pavements for street dining, new lighting and street furniture has been transformative”.
Event coordinator Linda Taggart said: “The Festival was very successful and and enjoyed by around 6,500 folk over the course of the afternoon. Thanks are due to everyone including the volunteers who helped to make it happen it was very special to have the community come together in this way."
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