The Talk to the Press offices are based on Portobello Road, and over the past few years, Natasha has come to know many stallholders and has always enjoyed watching the ebb and flow of their businesses throughout the day and the seasons.

Somewhere along the way, the seed that has now become ‘The Notting Hill Shopping Bag’ was planted. The project’s aims are to reduce plastic bag use in Notting Hill via a branded Notting Hill bag, to promote Notting Hill as a shopping destination, and to support local projects. The Notting Hill Bag Company donates 10 per cent of profits to local community projects.

Natasha has been running a series of art competitions with local schools, whose children provide the design for the Notting Hill Shopping Bag. The first bag in the series featured an image of Notting Hill’s famous coloured houses, drawn by Kemi, an 11 year old pupil from Colville Junior School in Portobello Road. Other schools whose designs feature on the bag including Bevington School, Middle Row School and Oxford Gardens School.  

Local resident and singer Natalie Imbruglia has also drawn an image for the Notting Hill Shopping Bag. Her cupcake-themed bag, inspired by her love of the Hummingbird Bakery, sold out last year in a matter of weeks and will be on sale again over the summer.

To find out more visit http://www.nottinghillshoppingbag.wordpress.com/