Although it is just a short drive or rail trip from London, Borehamwood feels like a country town. Nicknamed the British Hollywood, it also has all the glamour of its links with the film industry. Its location makes it the ideal choice for companies who want a base near the capital but want to be close to the Hertfordshire countryside. If you are taking on new workspace in the area and need office fitouts, Thames Contracts is based nearby in north London and has worked with clients in the Borehamwood area.
Office fitouts are required for a number of reasons. Our clients may request an office fitout if they are moving into new offices, while others may want to change the look and layout of an existing office, particularly to send out the right message about brand identity. A good example of this is the international, independently owned Swiss based company Clermont Trust. We fitted out their offices in Borehamwood to produce an interior suitable for a prestigious finance company, and central to the refit was the installation of full-height frameless glass walls. Space planning included designing an open plan office, with five private offices and a board room, and the entire project was completed in just two weeks.
Borehamwood in Focus
Borehamwood is surrounded by Green Belt countryside, making it an attractive place to live and work. It has many historic buildings, especially in the Elstree area, such as Laura Ashley the Manor Hotel, which dates back to the 16th century and has paid host to a number of famous names such as Tom Cruise and John Cleese. Other buildings include Alderman House, once famous for housing a larger collection of Chinese plants than Kew Gardens. Elstree is a separate village, but often comes under the name of Borehamwood.
The history of Elstree and Borehamwood stretches back to Roman times when it was a centre for pottery and tile manufacturing. The population increased rapidly with the arrival of the railway in the late 19th century, and various offices and businesses were created with the arrival of the film industry in 1914. The population increased further with the construction of new homes in the 50s and 60s.
Borehamwood has a shopping centre, twice weekly outdoor market and museum in Shenley Road. There are also some good private schools in the area including the prestigious Haberdashers’ Aske Boys’ School and Haberdashers’ Aske Girls’ School, and Aldenham, which is one of the world’s oldest schools.
It is an affluent area, and thanks to the film studios many actors and celebrities live in the vicinity. The nearby areas of Radlett and Totteridge have been named in a Sunday Telegraph survey as among Britain’s richest suburbs.
Employment Picture
The area has good transport links by both road (M25) and rail. Borehamwood has its own railway station with regular services to London, and buses run to and from the capital. It also has easy access to the A1 and M25 motorways, which are an advantage for both individuals and businesses moving to the area.
The Elstree Studios are vital to the area and many national and international film and TV productions are made there. These include the long-running soap EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing, Big Brother, and several of the Indiana Jones films and Star Wars episodes. The site benefits from a media village with 40 associated companies based there, which is a major focus of employment.
Many of those who live in Elstree and Borehamwood commute to London to work, but there are also a mix of other employers in and around the town. Borehamwood has seen a move from manufacturing to offices and retail, and there are various business parks in the area. Pizza Hut’s head office is based in Borehamwood and a number of other large organisations – such as DVLA, Barclays and Natwest – also have a presence here.
The Thames Contracts team has a good knowledge of the area and is happy to advise any local companies or organisations wanting to arrange an office fitout, or carry out other office design and build projects in the Borehamwood area.
Office Fitouts Borehamwood – Contact Thames Contracts for advice on office design and build projects in London and Hertfordshire.