Behind the scenes of Building Harlow’s Future – Council Leader’s weekly column

It’s only my second behind the scenes weekly column on Building Harlow’s Future, and I’ll be honest – the hardest part is deciding what not to talk about. There’s just so much happening across our town right now that it’s almost impossible to choose one story.

But this week, there really is only one place to start. Because hundreds of residents have stopped me in the street, sent messages, or tagged me online about it.

Yes – our Love Actually-style Christmas video.

In less than 48 hours, more than 100,000 people watched it. It’s been shared everywhere, sparked smiles, conversations, and, of course, a bit of friendly debate. (For the record – I didn’t want to do the thumbs up either, but Andrew Lincoln made that call for all of us!)

Here’s the behind the scenes truth: it almost didn’t happen.

The idea came together in a single evening. No film crews. No fancy budgets. No consultants. Just a few of us, a camera, and a bit of Christmas spirit. It was filmed in Harlow, by Harlow people, for Harlow – and it cost next to nothing.

And yet, it’s taken on a life of its own – promoting our Christmas Market to hundreds of thousands of people and showing exactly what makes this town special.

Because the message behind it – that warmth, optimism, and pride – is what Building Harlow’s Future is all about. It’s not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about belief. It’s about people coming together to create something special.

Every week, residents tell me they want to see a market return, the town centre come alive again, and to feel pride in Harlow once more. That’s exactly what we’re delivering.

This is what Building Harlow’s Future means: taking on tough challenges, delivering results, and restoring pride in our town. No more empty promises. No more stalled plans. We have delivered a visible change that will bring life, opportunity, and energy back to the heart of Harlow.

From 13 to 21 December, our newly renewed high street will be lined with rows of log cabins, local traders, food, crafts, music, and lights. The smell of mulled wine, the sound of live performances, the sparkle of Broad Walk – it will be pure Christmas magic. And on 6 December, when the lights are switched on, it’ll mark more than the start of the festive season – it’ll mark the next chapter of Harlow’s renewal.

Because this isn’t just about Christmas. It’s about confidence. It’s about a town rediscovering its heart.

The Broad Walk works haven’t just repaved a street – they’ve created a stage for the transformation we are delivering. When those spaces fill with laughter, music and people, we prove that regeneration is about more than buildings – it’s about belonging.

So come along. Bring your family, your friends, your neighbours. Support local traders, enjoy the atmosphere, and be part of the moment. Because this Christmas, we’re not just switching on lights – we’re switching on Harlow’s belief in itself.

Our Love Actually video began with a few handwritten cards and a simple idea. But it’s become something much bigger – a reminder that love for this town runs deep. And together, we’re showing exactly what happens when Harlow believes in Harlow.

Because we’re Building Harlow’s Future – actually.