The most commercial street in London through the eyes of its last resident

Ollie Claridge’s position in London, as he is the only resident on “Bond” street, the most commercial street in the capital of England.

Ollie Claridge stars in the documentary “Billion Pound Bond Street”, which aired on the British television channel ITV on June 10 and gives another look behind the scenes of this fantasy world, according to award-winning director Michael Waldman.

“I am happy to have found the only resident of this street, who fits so wonderfully into the history and characters of the area. He is a fan of this luxury world, he does not feel out of his water and he is not angry with all this love of people for these expensive brands. “He’s just wondering, ‘Isn’t that weird?'” Waldman told the Observer.

He lives in an apartment that he inherited the rent from his father. From his window he sees the big screens of the famous luxury brands. “It’s a little lonely, especially in the last year. There are only pubs on the west side of the road. But I feel I am part of this world, “he told the Observer.

In 2019, this street, which is between Oxford Street and Piccadilly, was the most expensive street in Europe for rent and the third most expensive in the world after Causeway Bay in Hong Kong and 5th Avenue in New York. York.

Ollie Claridge characteristically said that, “at the end of the last quarantine, there were queues of people outside Tiffany. I was impressed that while they had a lot of money they had to stand in line and wait on the street “. He continues: “None of these international brands make money from these stores. Rents are very high. “But for marketing reasons, they have to have a branch on this street.”

Claridge moved to the historic apartment, once inhabited by British diplomat and Soviet agent Cambridge Five member Guy Burgess, 20 years ago. “We used to have neighbors, but not anymore.”

Nelson, Handel and Jimi Hendrix were among the area’s historic residents.

He adds that there are “several” homeless people. “A lot of people who work in the area used to give them money regularly, but during the quarantine when businesses were closed it was difficult for them,” says Claridge.

The tenancy in the apartment, which he inherited from his father, is still six years to expire. He does not know where he will go when he is finished. “I can not live anywhere else,” he says characteristically. And when asked if he had money, what would he do with it? “I would buy land and plant trees,” he says.