Portsoy businesses hoping for Peaky Blinders boom as episodes featuring Cillian Murphy set to air

PORTSOY is hoping for a bounce in business ahead of the new season of hit show Peaky Blinders.

Portions of the sixth and final season were filmed in Portsoy with the seaside village standing in as a French port.

Local pubs, hotels and other buildings were transformed for the shoot and will feature prominently in Tommy Shelby and co's final farewell.

Portsoy Community Enterprise hopes the show's popularity will start a business boom after a difficult two years.

Richard Thorne, development manager of Portsoy Community Enterprise, said: "Tourism will definitely benefit from it and I think that will be the legacy.

"It gives us a bit of a name for ourselves and if we can link things back to Peaky Blinders or anything else then that is a massive help to us.

"We have the boat festival coming up in June and we will have at least one of the boats that was also used for filming in Peaky Blinders.

"It was a great asset and boost to the economy, and also to the morale of the people in the town.

"Something this big coming to the town - especially in a bleak February - made a heck of a difference and cheered everybody up."

Hospitality businesses are also hoping for a Peaky Blinders boost.

Durn House hosted some prominent cast members over a week of the shoot.

As thanks to the staff, the entire cast, including Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelby himself), signed a copy of the business's menu.

The star studded guests were a welcome relief during a difficult year for the hotel.

Tamara Mason, the business's marketing manager said: "It's been really tough for us with the pandemic and everything.

"That had a significant impact on the business but we're also aware of the impact it had on the staff because they're obviously paid by the hour.

"We have some stunning scenery and to have that captured on film to such a huge audience is fantastic.

"That will hopefully be a great boost to the area with fans from all over coming to visit.

"It was actually really funny because of the Covid restrictions they had to have individual limos pull up to take them to their shoot instead of just one so we had a long line of limos pulling up to our wee boutique for a week.

"It's great having a little bit of 'Hollywood' in the area."

The opportunity to retrace the stars' footsteps could draw more visitors to Portsoy, according to Esther Green, marketing coordinator for Portsoy Community Enterprise.

She said: "You might not be able to travel back in time to see what life was like for Tommy Shelby and Michael Gray but, in theory, fans can follow in their footsteps by coming here.

"If people come to the area because it is associated with this TV series, they will find the area has a whole charm of its own."

The Shore Inn on the historic harbour, was transformed into the Hotel Lalanne for filming.

Owners Jimmy and Elaine Morrison will be tuning in, despite Elaine not being a fan.

Elaine said: "I'm going to have to watch it because our son has a small part in it. We're hoping that's not been cut and that he'll be in it but I'm going to have to watch it and see if we can spot him."

Jimmy added: "He wasn't just a distant barrel boy so we're hoping he'll figure."

The owners are upbeat about potential increased trade following the TV appearance after Covid restrictions forced the business's closure.

Jimmy said: "I would like to think that we will get quite a few visitors off the back of this.

"We tried to keep one of the advertisements on the side – it was an advertisement for Antoine's Fish Mongers but they wouldn't let us keep it.

"We're looking forward to seeing it and we'll keep our eyes peeled for the Shore Inn."

Glencoe and Macduff have already seen increased visitor numbers following the filming of hit shows Outlander and The Crown.

Jenni Steele, film and creative industries manager at VisitScotland, says Portsoy could see similar advantages.

She said: "A major production such as Peaky Blinders taking place in the Portsoy area, showcases the region to a global audience and presents another opportunity to promote Scotland as a must-see destination.

“Our research shows that one in five visitors are inspired to travel to Scotland after watching movies and television shows filmed or set here."

Mr Thorne added: "More filming would definitely be good for the place.

"We will welcome them to this part of the world any time they would want to come."

The final series is due to air on BBC One at 9pm Sunday, February 27.