But for Highgate Wood cafe manager Jacek Warmier it was thrilling to see music icon Sir Rod Stewart visit his premises.
Sir Rod, who was born on Archway Road and attended Highgate Primary School, was in Highgate Wood last Thursday to film a programme about his life.
As a boy he was a talented footballer and his father Robert set up a local football team called the ‘Highgate Redwings’ who would visit the café after training.
“When I saw who had come into the café, my heart stopped beating,” said Jacek.
“Sir Rod seemed to love the café and commented on how it had improved from when he used to come here when he was growing up.”
The cafe is one of five whose leases are being put out to tender by the City of London Corporation.
Cafes on Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill Lido, and Queen’s Park are also under threat of changing hands, with campaigners fearing long established independent businesses will be edged out by larger chains.
Jacek added: “For us it would be a heartache if our local cafes were to lose their leases.”
Sir Rod also attended William Grimshaw – now Fortismere School – before dropping out at 15 hoping to become a professional footballer.
When that didn’t happen he worked in his father’s newsagents in Archway Road delivering papers and had a brief stint as a labourer at Highgate Cemetery and a Finchley funeral parlour before launching his singing career.
Now, among one of the bestselling music artists of all time, he turned 80 this year.
He has been invited to get behind the Save Our Cafes campaign, which has been backed by the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy.
After his visit, Stefan Simanowitz, who has helped organize the campaign wrote to Arnold Stiefelent, Sir Rod’s manager, inviting him to endorse it.
A decision on the future of the cafes is expected to be announced on December 8 at a meeting of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: “We have a responsibility and legal charitable obligation to ensure that all café facilities on Hampstead Heath support the best interests of the charity and the millions of people who visit each year.
“All five café operators are trading under tenancies at will, which are short-term arrangements. A competitive re-marketing process will help us ensure a high-quality visitor experience, offering welcoming community spaces that continue to meet the needs of local people.
“We deeply appreciate the long-standing contributions of our café operators. Their experience and dedication are valued, and they have been invited to take part in this opportunity. As part of the process, we invited proposals that reflect the Heath’s unique character and community spirit.
“We are now reviewing submissions.”
