A florist says it was an “honour” that her shop was chosen as a film location for the new Bridget Jones movie.
Sayeh & Galton Flowers, in Flask Walk, Hampstead, will have been serving customers for 20 years as of August 4.
So owner Sayeh Rafiei was ecstatic to have film crews in on Thursday (July 11) to shoot the new film, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.
Lead actress Renée Zellweger has been spotted around Hampstead and north London since filming started in May.
Sayeh Rafiei outside her flower shop (Image: Handout)
The new film tells the story of Bridget Jones following the death of Mark Darcy.
She is once again single, and now a middle-aged mother, when her eye is caught by Rockstar, played by 27-year-old Leo Woodall.
In recent filming, Flask Walk was temporarily closed during the day, with the florist's shop being the focus.
Ms Rafiei explained that crews started filming from 7am, which lasted for some hours.
Sayeh & Galton Flowers, after its Christmas makeover for Bridget Jones (Image: Handout)
She said: “This sort of thing takes very long, for maybe only 30 seconds. The preparation was very good and they were a bunch of very professional people.”
It’s understood that the area had a Christmas makeover, despite it currently being summer, and the whole road was used.
The owner continued “I was very excited. First of all this year August 4, it’s my 20th business anniversary. It was brilliant to be a part of the movie. It was a very nice fit to be part of it.”
She added that she was “very much” a fan of the Bridget Jones film series and is fond of all the actors and actresses.
A Christmas theme for Bridget Jones (Image: Handout)
Ms Rafiei said: “Hampstead is beautiful and being part of such an iconic project is great because of the area and also because of the nature of the business – people see the outside display and they love it. It’s an honour to be in this area and have a business here.”
Originally established in 1948, Ms Rafiei took over the shop nearly 20 years ago, after she came to the UK eight years previously.
With a background in chemistry, she took up floristry originally as a hobby but became very invested in it.
Later she opened shops in Brent Cross and Westfield before opening a third branch in Hampstead, where she lives.
Ms Rafiei said: “I believe I have a good eye for colour and fashion, and I call floristry a part of art – not a normal flower shop to put flowers together. Myself here and the staff are all artists.”
Filming in May at Haverstock Hill (Image: TikTok / @sianatully)
Zellweger has been seen around the local area, including strolling along Haverstock Hill and climbing a tree at Hampstead Heath, appearing to reach for a child.
Woodall was pictured alongside the tree, wearing Hampstead Heath branded uniform.
Bridget’s last outing is set to be released on February 14, 2025 – perfect timing for Valentine's Day.
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