An air raid shelter cafe in High Wycombe aim to top the Christmas charts this winter
A local cafe have made it their mission to top the charts this winter with their cover of a Christmas classic
Chris Miller, owner of the Air Raid Shelter Cafe and Tea Room in High Wycombe, has teamed up with former RAF radio operator John Pearce, 95, to record a cover of the festive standard Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).
They are not only hoping to raise money for dementia charities but are looking to fend off the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sir Elton John and Gary Barlow for a place at the top of the Christmas Charts.
Mr Miller, said he chose to cover Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) because of the connotations of coming home from both the struggles of dementia and from war in Europe. It also happened to be one of his favourite Christmas numbers as he added "It's just a good Christmas song".
The former manager of Amersham Town FC said: “The great thing about the Christmas number one in this country is that it is a chance for someone to come from the left-field, a nobody, for the country to get behind – an underdog."
When asked how would you feel if the song reached number one on the Christmas charts Mr Miller said: “It would be amazing, it would just be dreamland to go to number one. I couldn’t really describe what it would feel like.”
Located inside the Chilterns Shopping Centre, the Air Raid Shelter Cafe and Tea Room opened three years ago with John Pearce cutting the ribbon. The cafe has been serving individuals and groups from care homes since plans to knock down the centre were delayed.
Mr Miller praised the veteran, saying: “John Pearce is so loving and caring and it would be so good for him to get that recognition – not that he wants it – because he is one of the last (veterans) we have got left.
“We have got a ‘thank-you wall’ outside the cafe and so many of them have died over the last two years. And it would just be amazing to have another chance for us to show that we are grateful to the generation and to raise awareness and money for dementia, because it is so underfunded.”
Speaking of those who fought in the Second World War, Mr Miller added: “I opened the cafe three years ago and have always just loved that generation – my grandparents’ generation. They are just so respectful and they gave up so much for us.”
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by The 1945 is available on all major streaming platforms.