World news This article is more than 16 years oldWelcome to Little Britain - in Manhattan
This article is more than 16 years oldThe streets around Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan would appear to have little in common with village greens and warm beer. However, because of the sheer number of British businesses in the district, Anglophiles in New York are campaigning to have a corner of the island officially renamed Little Britain.
The group, led by English-themed cafe Tea & Sympathy and backed by Sir Richard Branson, wants to rebrand the area around Greenwich Avenue in the tradition of naming areas of New York after the nationalities that congregate there.
"You've got Little Italy, Little India, Chinatown, why not Little Britain?" Tea & Sympathy's owner, Nicky Perry, said.
Designer Sir Paul Smith, Austin Powers actor Mike Myers, London-born OC star Mischa Barton and comedian Billy Connolly are supporting the campaign, which is being launched in Greenwich Village today.
Singer Joss Stone said: "Britain is a wicked place full of culture and great people. So why not bring a Little Britain to New York?"
Musician Jools Holland said: "There'll be somewhere I can feel at home amongst badly dressed, ill-mannered people that are my fellow countrymen."
Ms Perry, who has been serving roast dinners, bangers and mash and crumble to expats and celebrity fans like Rupert Everett, Quentin Tarantino and Kate Moss for 17 years, said the area was packed with British businesses. Next door is her fish and chip shop A Salt and Battery, and on the other side children's clothes store Showroom 64. Nearby Hudson Street is home to British grocery emporium Myers of Keswick, while designers Stella McCartney, Lulu Guinness and Mulberry all have outlets in the area.
"I've been here for years and years and it's known as Little Britain anyway," Ms Perry said.
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