Milestone anniversary spotlights borough’s bustling business scene

Boasting state-of-the-art film studios and several green awards, the borough of Hertsmere celebrates its 50th birthday

Celebrating 50 years since its formation, the borough of Hertsmere has a robust and diverse economic environment alongside leafy landscapes that attract businesses and families to put down roots.

Comprised of Borehamwood, Elstree, Bushey, Potters Bar, Radlett, Aldenham, Shenley and all the charming villages in between, Hertsmere’s proximity to London benefits the people who live, work and enjoy culture in the borough. Key transport links include mainline rail services and easy access to the M25, M1 and A1 as well as five airports in close proximity, making the borough a great choice for businesses and residents alike.

There are more than 18,000 companies in the area, with 3,500 new businesses established in the past two years alone, demonstrating significant entrepreneurial activity. Almost 100 scale-up companies are based in the borough, indicating a supportive environment for business growth.

A creative services hub, Hertsmere is home to huge film studios and technology firms including Sky Studios Elstree, Elstree Studios, BBC Elstree, Canada Life, BPL, Info Plus Tech and Elstree Aerodrome.

The film and television sector is the primary creative industry in the area, with recognised Hertsmere productions including The Crown, The King’s Speech, Paddington and Wicked. Ongoing filming continues with successful shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Chase, The Voice and long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Elstree Studios will celebrate 100 years in 2025 and is undoubtedly a leading creative asset for the borough. Star Wars, The Dirty Dozen and 2001: A Space Odyssey are just some of the blockbuster movies shot there. With more than 90,000 square feet of filming space, the site has nine stages, over 40 production companies and remains the facility of choice for countless feature films, shows, commercials and tour rehearsals.

The magnitude of the creative sector, alongside significant growth in tech-oriented sectors, supports a healthy professional network, with almost 140,000 employees based in Hertsmere. The employee growth rate is 8.05 per cent with 245 companies reporting an increase in their workforces, reflecting a positive trend in job creation – particularly in the tech industry.

The thriving business scene has created strong demand for IT support, meaning that managed IT services providers like certified Microsoft partner and B Corp Redsquid has experienced significant growth in recent years through strategic acquisitions.

Mark Lardner, Marketing Manager at Redsquid said: “The company’s local presence has provided a wealth of opportunities. The area’s thriving business community, spanning industries from film production to traditional office-based companies, has created a strong demand for IT support. Redsquid’s expertise in areas like AI integration, phone system integration, and cloud migration has positioned it as a trusted partner for businesses facing new challenges.”

Beyond its business acumen, Redsquid is deeply invested in the local community. Through initiatives such as golf days and apprenticeships, the company has fostered strong relationships and supported the development of young talent.

To support the local business ecosystem, Hertsmere Borough Council runs quarterly networking events and provides oneto-one business support alongside a Creative Forum. The council has also established a Hertsmere Skills Partnership with the Chamber and other businesses, including the University of Hertfordshire, Oaklands College, West Herts College, Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal, the Hertfordshire Film Office, WENTA and DWP, to identify and fill local skills gaps.

When it comes to leisure and culture, Hertsmere residents and visitors have a wealth of activities to enjoy. One of Hertsmere’s greatest strengths is its Member Champions and community groups that provide and support museums, festivals, theatres, cinemas, live music and community events, upholding the core of the borough’s cultural life.

There is a community-focussed festival and events programme, predominantly run by local charitable trust Inspire All that covers one-time events and series across the towns.

There are 23 cultural venues including museums, historic sites, libraries, art centres, theatres and music venues to visit, and three arts centres in Borehamwood, Potters Bar and Radlett that have strong professional and amateur programmes and capacity for large audiences.

Locals and visitors benefit from the borough’s flourishing scenery, reflected by the council’s achievement of eight Green Flag Awards. Managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting a benchmark standard across the UK and around the world.

The park with the longest-running award history is King George Recreation Ground in Bushey, which has held the accolade for an impressive 26 years. Not far behind is Oakmere Park in Potters Bar, which has received the annual award 22 times. Aberford Park in Borehamwood has held a Green Flag for over 17 years and Parkfield in Potters Bar has been awarded it 16 times.

Bushey Rose Garden has received the award for the 14th year, Mary Forsdyke Garden and Warren Lake, located in the heart of Bushey Heath, have won the award for the seventh time, and Meadow Park in Borehamwood for the second year. Bushey Rose Garden has also achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management and promotion of its historic features.

Elsewhere in Bushey, Fisher’s Field Nature Reserve has received a Green Flag Community Award for the 16th time in recognition of the hard work of local volunteers who manage the site in partnership with the council.

Alongside celebrating its 50th birthday, Hertsmere Borough Council is committed to supporting new growth in sustainable locations. A new Town Centre Partnership has been established in Borehamwood to support retail needs and town centre improvements, with plans to expand into other Hertsmere settlements.

New Borehamwood proposals are also being implemented, delivering many hundreds of homes, a new GP surgery and one scheme delivering 80 per cent affordable housing onsite. The council also currently partners with sustainable transport provider Beryl Bikes in Borehamwood and Bushey and is looking into further potential expansion across the borough.