Barry Island prepares for Gavin & Stacey filming ahead of Christmas special

Filming for the final episode of the beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey is set to begin in Barry Island in the coming weeks, with the special episode scheduled to air on Christmas Day. The highly anticipated return was confirmed earlier this year, after the 2019 Christmas special left more than 18 million viewers eager for answers following a cliffhanger ending.

Businesses in Barry Island have felt the impact of the show's popularity. Jackie Rogers, owner of the Hyper Value gift shop, noted that the sitcom has "put Barry Island on the map," leading to a "huge increase" in trade. She added, "People come here to Barry Island just to see Gavin & Stacey."

Louis Ross, owner of Barrybados, highlighted the timing challenges posed by the last Christmas special, which aired just before the COVID lockdown. "We locked down three months after the last Christmas special aired, so people didn't really get to experience the whole Gavin & Stacey buzz after it aired last time," he said.

Jo Linney from Sofia Souvenirs expressed excitement about the upcoming filming, noting that the show's "dedicated" fans often visit from far and wide. "We get visitors from Australia, America, Scotland—they'll make a special effort to come to Barry," she said.

While the filming brings excitement, it also raises concerns for some residents. County Councillor Mark Hooper acknowledged that while filming companies try to be "good neighbors," issues like parking and noise can be problematic.

As the series comes to an end after 17 years, there is a mix of excitement and nostalgia in Barry. Ross summed up the sentiment: "Everybody loves Gavin & Stacey in Barry... this is the last one, it's going to be one last hurrah and we're all excited for it."