Christmas is around the corner. In Monaco, from the Tourist Office to Casino Square to Port Hercules, the streets sparkle with the beauty and festive joy of Christmas lights And in a charming area of London’s Mayfair district, Shepherd Market, the small square and piazza with a variety of boutique shops, restaurants and impressive Victorian pubs tucked away between Piccadilly and Curzon Street, the annual event of switching on of the Christmas lights has become a popular, local celebration, thanks to the Pastor Real Estate, Mayfair’s leading luxury estate agents, as their sponsor.
The founding company, J.B. Pastor & Fils began more than four generations ago, at the beginning of the 1920’s in construction, in the principality of Monaco and was established by Jean-Baptiste Pastor. The Pastor group now has a diverse portfolio of business interests including construction, estate agency, property, rental management and specialist insurance services.
With the support of over 60 retailers, residents and traders in this corner of Mayfair, the Shepherd Market Association organises the annual event. Pastor Real Estate is the main sponsor of the beautiful Shepherd Market lights. This festive affair has an appealing and appetising array of traditional Christmas features. Mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas carols and even a brass band are present in this beautiful Victorian alcove of Mayfair.
This year, thanks to Oliver Milburn, Actor and Co-Owner of Kitty Fisher’s, Elizabeth Hurley was in charge of the switch. Oliver and Elizabeth starred in the American TV series, “The Royals” together. Elizabeth is happy to lend her regal presence to the event and says, “Shepherd Market is such a unique part of London, it has a real neighbourhood feel. I love the mix of shops, galleries and restaurants, particularly Kitty Fisher’s – one of my all time favourites and of course the wonderful 5 Hertford Street. I’m thrilled to be switching on their Christmas lights and to be supporting this unique pocket of Mayfair.”
In previous years, the Shepherd Market Christmas Lights event has been well attended by celebrity residents of Mayfair and London, including Sir Stirling Moss, Boris Johnson, Zac Goldsmith and Michael Palin.
The Shepherd Market Association and Pastor Real Estate have also decided to support the historic homeless charity, St Mungo’s Broadway, at the Shepherd Market Christmas Lights. This charity, formed in 1969, and named after the patron saint of travelling Celts, has been hugely successful in helping homeless people to be housed and effect positive change in their lives.