As more than a dozen fame-hungry contestants prepare to clamber into a television studio designed as a house at the back of Elstree Film Studios tomorrow night, many Borehamwood residents will fear the potential controversy this year's series of Big Brother could bring.

Although the house is an icon of Britain's reality TV culture, past shows have included a race row, brawls, and a teenage sex scandal.The programme has been filmed at the Shenley Road studios since 2000 and, despite waning viewing figures for recent series, it continues to boost the area's economy, bringing hundreds of fans to the town every week.For many businesses, particularly those serving food and drink, Big Brother is a chance to cash in.Michael Lewis, manager of the Shenley Road branch of McDonald's, opposite the studio entrance, said: "Big Brother being filmed in the area is equally a good thing and a bad thing."On the good side you can take the business point of view where we get more customers coming in for food, especially on the eviction nights."The bad side of this can be the trouble that comes with those crowds."It is usually the case that probably 95 per cent of people are great and behave themselves, but there is the five per cent minority who are a bit rowdy and ruin it for others."We are right opposite the studios, but generally the crowds lining up seem to be not that bad as they get a bit loud and excited but are just enjoying themselves."Kieron Saul, from the Hart & Spool pub, said: "It is great business for the area. We are the closest pub to the studios so we get a lot of the trade that passes through Shenley Road."We don't really get rowdy people in the pub - most are well-behaved."The Tesco store which partly overlooks the Big Brother house also benefits from the hordes of placard-bearing fans.A spokeswoman for the company said: "We get busier when Big Brother is being filmed, so this means a boost to sales for us."It is busiest on Friday evenings as we are located right next door. The show raises the profile of the area and brings good trade for businesses."Film and television historian Paul Welsh said the show's effect is similar to the days when Top of the Pops was filmed at the BBC Elstree Studios, in Clarendon Road."It is not new to have shows like this in the town, as Top of The Pops brought in a great amount of trade," he said."If you have a couple of thousand fans visiting Borehamwood every week for Big Brother they need to be fed and watered so they will go to the shops, restaurants and pubs."People often knock the show and say it is only for younger people, but if it brings in trade it is only good news. The people who complain about noise should realise that it is no worse than football fans at a game."Jeremy Pelzer, leisure and cultural services consultant at Elstree Film Studios, said: "Big Brother producers Endemol have been a welcome client and contribute significantly to the continued success of the studios and I have no doubt, as a consequence, Hertfordshire businesses and the local economy."The proximity and location of the Big Brother house to our facilities, the security that studios naturally offer, together with our locality and accessibility for audiences is unique and continues to work extremely well."Series upon series, Big Brother has continually shown great ratings; we are as interested as any to see what possible changes to the format and house may be in store over the coming weeks."