It is particularly pleasant at this time of year to pass the festive windows of Marylebone High Street. My local shopping area has become one of the most popular destinations in London. I ignore the new age retailers and any shop with the word “holistic” in the window – there are a lot of these. But there are also outstanding food shops that sell fresh fish and bread, aged meat and a better selection of cheeses than I can find in France. There is a cool Scandinavian furniture shop, an inviting but overpriced kitchen equipment emporium, several clothes boutiques and a wonderful bookshop that specialises in travel. There are three patisseries and a choice of cuisine, from designer soups and sandwiches to New Zealand fusion.

Twenty years ago, when I first lived nearby, the street was lined with charity shops and shuttered windows. What is now a Conran store and restaurant was a tyre depot. The upgrading has not only contributed to my quality of life, but added to the value of my house.