The Office-style mockumentary backfires in attempt to promote town in Hampshire

A COUNCIL’S film in the style of TV show The Office insulted the town it was trying to promote.

Joseph Hughes was inspired by the hit show and the mockumentaries of Philomena Cunk when he made a 10-minute video to promote Andover.

The Hampshire town was recently voted one of the most depressing places to live in Britain and faced criticism for being boring.

To combat this image, fellow councillors granted the 26-year-old permission to experiment with a David Brent-inspired “tongue-in-cheek” film.

But after watching the video, in which Mr Hughes poured scorn on the Christmas lights switch-on, councillors said their “hearts sank”.

Mr Hughes shared the video on YouTube with the support of his father, the mayor of Andover. The video spurred 16 formal complaints from locals who accused Mr Hughes of “degrading” their beloved Christmas event. Katherine Bird said permission for the film was granted as a new way of promoting the town, with Mr Hughes being given access to the authority’s personal microphones.

However, after watching the video, she said: “When you watch it, your heart sinks further and further.

“If you’ve watched something like The Office or Philomena Cunk, they are satire but they never punch down and the person they make fun of is themselves. It was less than complimentary about the town itself and pretty insulting to our partners. People that are incredibly hard-working for the town are being lampooned.”

Tensions erupted at a subsequent council meeting which reportedly descended into “chaos” as councillors swore at one another, the mayor stormed out and arguments ensued.

At a second meeting on Jan 31, the committee passed a motion condemning the mockumentary. The debate will now be taken to a full council meeting.

Andover’s Countdown to Christmas shows Mr Hughes walking around attending the switch-on. He asks residents if they thought the light show was “underwhelming or extremely underwhelming” and whether they would rather be having a “night in”.

Mr Hughes said: “This project is to highlight the town in a satirical way, most importantly shining light on the charities that offer amazing groups and services for vulnerable people.”

Robin Hughes, the mayor, defended his son’s video, saying: “He expected some kickback because if you are a boomer you don’t get the humour that’s in a mockumentary.”

‘When you watch it your heart sinks. People that are incredibly hard-working are being lampooned’