So John Lewis revealed their Christmas ad today and it’s another set to get us weeping through our X-Factor break until the red lorry reminds us that ‘holidays are coming’ and Santa Claus is on his way. Among the big budget Christmas ads will be something a lot closer to home and some familiar faces, maybe even yours!

I’ve just been down to Surrey Street and something exciting is going on. A commercial, to be screened in the week before and week after Christmas on ITV, Channel 4 and across the Freeview channels is being shot.

There is a camera team on the top of Surrey Street, at the back of Millets, next to the flower and plant stalls. They are interviewing people who have been selected from applicants from across London, and as far afield Cardiff and Scotland about who they think Which Magazine voted Supermarket of the Year in 2013. I know who the ad is for so I know who that is but am sworn to secrecy.

The reason for that is because there are researchers out in the market looking for local, Croydon folk to film as well and so they don’t want you knowing the answer in case you are the one on film and starring in the advert.

The Bare Film Company specialise in filming and producing TV commercials and they are on Surrey Street today (Friday 8th November) and will be there again tomorrow from 10am - 4pm. I spoke to Toby, one of the production team who told me anyone who fancies the chance to be in the advert can come down tomorrow and say hi.

It’s created a buzz on the market and all the traders and customers are proud to have our market on TV. It’s not the first time either.

Surrey Street has been featured in 118 118 and Nokia ads and was a setting for the video for MIKA’s ‘Big Girl You are Beautiful.’ I’ve just had another look at it on YouTube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDSK91mUNLU) and you can see a lot of familiar stalls, shops from the market and all over Croydon. Familiar faces too, were you there? The Bill frequently film on Surrey Street and Steve Coogan’s team recently filmed some comedy scenes at Matthew’s Yard just next door.

Market Inspector, Fiona Woodcock told me that production teams always say what a warm and friendly reception they get from the people of Croydon and how much they love being here.

Not only is it great for our town to be featured in ads, on TV, in music videos and films, it also brings in trade. Toby told me there is a team of around 30 here for this ad and they had just spent nearly £300 in Matthew’s Yard for breakfast.

In the three days of filming, they will have spent a similar amount each day on the market eating lunch off the street food stalls. They are big fans of Tom’s Chinese, George’s jerk chicken and the new Thai food stall. I suggested they go and check out Rahim’s Afghan wraps too.

The team are not only bringing in exposure and trade. As part of the advert, the team have installed a bill board where the big reveal of Which Best Supermarket of 2013 will be made. This has gone up over an old, faded original painted sign for Millet’s that has been up since 1946.

The bill board will be down at the end of tomorrow and the team have arranged for a local sign painter to come in the New Year and re-fresh the original sign to its former glory.

Don’t forget to go on down between 10am and 4pm today to watch the filming. You never know, you might get to have a go in front of the camera. I’ll look forward to seeing you on TV over Christmas if you do. As for the best supermarket... it’s.... no I really can’t say now but I’ll give you an exclusive and tell you weeks ahead of the reveal on the ad in next week’s column. Of course, no supermarket is as good as Surrey Street market though!