Is Borehamwood going to get a Hollywood-style sign?

The town has a rich history of film and TV production - and in the present day, this has been enhanced by the addition of Sky Studios Elstree, which is under construction.

There are also aspirations to create Britain's largest ever studios in Well End which would cement Borehamwood's place at number one; however this is just a proposal at the moment.

See more: Plans for UK's largest film studios unveiled for Borehamwood

CGI of the 32 acre Sky Studios Elstree development which is under construction

At a full council meeting on Wednesday night, the leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Morris Bright, was asked whether the would support proposals for a road sign for Borehamwood that would be inspired by the famous 'Hollywood' sign in the US.

Cllr Bright's colleague, Cllr Paul Morris, said: "Hertsmere, and particularly Borehamwood, is growing in status in the modern era within the film, TV and media world.

"We currently have Elstree Studios, BBC Elstree and the new Sky studios under construction. The borough is on a resurgence of the TV and film world in both national and international status.

"Los Angeles has the Hollywood sign and even Basildon now has its own sign. Is it not now time to install a sign introducing the world to Borehamwood as drivers approach the area from the M25 located on the A1?"

Hollywood sign. Credit: Pixabay

There is a similar style sign in Basildon in Essex. Credit: Essex Echo

Cllr Bright, who is the chairman of council-owned Elstree Studios, responded and suggested he was very much in favour of exploring the opportunity of installing a sign of that nature for Borehamwood.

He said: "I would like to see a sign with Borehamwood on it because we do hear from a lot of people who say 'why do a lot of studios call themselves Elstree', and even when we have new studios, they use 'Elstree' rather than 'Borehamwood'.

"We know there’s a long history to studios in our area - there used to be about 12 of them."

Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. Credit: Elstree Studios

Although he said 'Elstree' was a term known worldwide in the industry, Cllr Bright said it would be "correct and right recognition" that Borehamwood has a sign that says something like 'the home of film and television', 'British Hollywood, Borehamwood'.

Cllr Morris sought assurances that his leader would follow the suggestion up, to which Cllr Bright replied: "I’d like to see it. I will see what we can do and I’ll report back once we’ve had those conversations with the relevant agencies."

Cllr Bright explained installing a sign would be in the jurisdiction of Hertfordshire County Council or the Highways Agency.

He added that although he would like to find a way of celebrating the area's film and television heritage, he would not like to see a sign installed on green belt land.