About the First Impressions Project

For almost 100 years, Elstree and Borehamwood have played unique roles in British Heritage as a leading centre for film activity.  And now, thanks to an injection of funding from Vibrant Towns Shopping Centre Improvement Fund major plans are being put in to action to celebrate the rich film and television history created right here on our doorstep.

The improvement project, called First Impressions, will use the film and television theme to enhance the area from Borehamwood’s train station, through its main street Shenley Road up to Elstree Studios. 

Along the way will be window displays, banners on lampposts, heritage and screen plaques and even Hollywood-style stars which will commemorate and celebrate the area’s rich film and television connections.

Over the years the various studios based in the area have played host to hundreds of iconic stars and produced many hit movies and television shows, some of which have achieved cult-status across the world. Even today the area is home to BBC Eastenders, Holby City, Dancing on Ice and Who Wants to be a Millionaire and residents are accustomed to seeing familiar sights in the backdrops to filming.

First Capital Connect, Hertsmere Borough Council, Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, Hertfordshire County Highways, the Hertfordshire County Tourism and Leisure Partnership, and local volunteer group Elstree Screen Heritage have been working together to make this happen.

Cllr Morris Bright, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "The First Impressions project will begin with the work on the station forecourt by First Capital Connect and this much-awaited and hugely needed work cannot come a day too soon for all people who regularly use this station and the services that run through it.

“We will then all be working together to develop the creative film and TV theme to make the centre of Borehamwood an innovative and interesting area for all those who use it.  I am very much looking forward to seeing this project develop which will create a unique town centre environment which will be the envy of many other towns across the country."

The renovation is possible due to extra cash following a successful bid to the county-wide Vibrant Towns Group - Shopping Centre Improvement Fund. This money is being matched by the borough and town councils to improve and maintain the local street scene and enable the concept to become a reality.