Hemel Hempstead is the new Hollywood, the council says

A council film officer said her city had become the UK’s answer to Hollywood.

“I call it Himmelwood,” Amy Greenland said. “After Life was filmed here and put Hemel Hempstead on the map.”

Ms Greenland said film crews had been in the area for a few weeks filming the World War Two drama, which had been “well received by local businesses”.

Ms Greenland, photography officer at Dacorum Borough Council, added that the ancient town had been used for other TV series, such as Grantchester and Laddhod. But she said it was a “transition” for the Air Masters.

“It’s really unrecognizable. The attractive storefronts here have been turned into ruined streets and bomb shelters.”

Ms. Greenland said the city’s popularity was due in part to the area being home to many new film studios.

“It’s really close to London and we have many famous film studios around us, which means the crew don’t need to commute.

“We try to provide the film crew with everything they need,” she said.

Sue Heaslip works at the Tea Tree café in the Old Town, where Ricky Gervais filmed a scene for the Netflix series After Life.

“It’s a beautiful high street, this is a very traditional shop, and it’s a great honor to be photographed here,” she said.

Ms Heaslip said it had boosted tourism to the area.

“Lots of people have said they came to visit us after seeing After Life, from as far away as Ireland, Germany and America.”

Hairstylist Michelle Rush said they were approached by a production company to film in July because they wanted a barber shop for the shoot.

“Obviously we have a big window, so they want to film from the outside looking in.”

She said the activity “definitely” brought more people to the area.

“It’s good because we need more people in the Old City.”

Ms Greenland agreed that the film industry was “making a positive impact” on the entire region.

“It is good that we can provide a service where we can help production, but the main focus is to help local businesses,” she said.

She believes the wider region will continue to attract film and television producers.

“There will be a lot more to come. Not just Hemel, but Berkhamsted and Tring as well; we have beautiful surrounding interests that are interesting.”