Case Study:

Tescos
2024 Christmas Advert

Bringing Holiday Magic to Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Film Office played a pivotal role in bringing Tesco’s nostalgic, gingerbread-themed Christmas shoot to the county, recommending St Albans as the perfect wintery backdrop. The production selected the high street and local businesses as key filming locations, bringing a festive buzz to town in mid-summer.

HFO brought together key partners including St Albans BID, Hertfordshire County Council, and St Albans District Council to ensure the shoot was a resounding success despite a short turnaround time.

Local businesses embraced the opportunity, with 17 Hertfordshire-based companies providing essential services, from lighting and window cleaning to waste management.

The production also boosted local visitor economy businesses, from coffee shops supplying sustenance for crew members, and hotels providing overnight accommodation to reduce the need for travel.

“The shoot was a huge success, and I will be back to Hertfordshire! I am currently pitching Hertfordshire versus another area based on this experience, and particularly the graduate scheme, for our next project.”
– Location Manager, Ben
Location Manager, Ben, shared his appreciation:

“Hertfordshire Film Office have been involved from the beginning and made things much easier for us, introducing us to the key players in the area. We also hired recent graduates of Skills Bootcamps, as suggested by the Film Office.”
Vivien Cannon from St Albans BID said:
“The film crew needed skilled people who understand local requirements and infrastructure. HFO reached out to key people in the locality, ensuring the needs of businesses were known and understood.”
With the Film Office’s one-to-one support and strong local partnerships, productions can expect smooth logistics, a film-friendly environment, and access to top-tier talent.