In our latest Studios Spotlight, we go behind the scenes of Patchway Studios in Bristol, and hear about the expert input from advisory HoDs, the new hotel partnerships, and a dedicated welfare space called the Crew’s Nest…

History of the studio

We opened Patchway Studios Bristol in May 2022. The facility was initially a large-scale refrigeration operation and as such is inherently cavernous, comes with oodles of power and is dark with brilliant access.

It was funded through UK-based SG Capital Partners and as a privately-owned operation, benefits from being able to reinvest directly back into the facility, making regular improvements, only enhancing what’s available.

Poppy Gordon Clark, supervising location manager, advisory board member, Patchway Studios

The Crew’s Nest

When the industry slowed down, in part down to the dual strikes in the US, the decision was made to carry out some refurbishment in line with some industry feedback.

There was a sense that the single space (of almost 40,000 sq ft at the time) would suit productions better if it were divided up and smaller spaces created.

As a result, we engaged specialist contractors to go about splitting the principal space with soundproof walls. We’re really excited also to now have a dedicated welfare/social space for crew called the ‘Crew’s Nest’ [labelled ‘covered seating’ in the floorplan below]. It’s a stretch tent on the edge of our studio and allows team to work outdoors under canopy, with Wi-Fi and electrical sockets.

James North, production designer, advisory board member, Patchway Studios

High-profile dramas

Our first major production was ‘The Winter King’ – an Arthurian piece for ITVX. This was a full-site takeover, allowing the show to undertake a significant outdoor set-build adjoined to the considerable interior builds.

We have also had a variety of unit-base bookings, making use of the well-placed space to support on-location work including for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Moonage Pictures for BBC/ Netflix), Dreamlands (Sister Pictures for BBC).

We had some location filming for The Crow Girl (Buccaneer Media for Paramount +) and several stills/commercial shoots including a shoot for Green Flag, plus a large scale fashion shoot for a global brand which involved talent from the USA.

Monty Till (MT), supervising location manager, advisory board member, Patchway Studios

Partnerships and collaborations

We’ve been making exciting strides with new partnerships recently.

First up – accommodation. We’re proud to welcome Village Hotel Bristol as our official accommodation partner. Located just five minutes from Patchway Studios, they now offer exclusive discounted rates for all production teams working on-site. It’s a great way to stay close and stay comfortable during your time with us.

Zach Duthie (ZD), marketing executive, Patchway Studios

Standout offering

Patchway Studios is full of incredible features, but our top priority has always been one thing: the crew experience. Our space has been built for crew, by crew; every detail of our space has been thoughtfully designed to support the people who bring productions to life.

We want crew members to not only do great work here — but to feel great doing it. Our studios are more than just a place to shoot — they’re a creative hub where production teams feel valued, energised, and empowered to create the stories we all love. (ZD)

Production in your region

We have seen an increase in enquiries since the completion of our recent refurbishment – which has tied in with a livening up of the industry overall.

These enquiries and visits are testament to the refined offer Patchway Studios Bristol provides to producers seeking a more curated provision. Patchway Studios Bristol benefits from a team of working TV professionals on its advisory board, each with expert knowledge about what productions need from studio space. (MT)

What’s next?

What a fantastic question – we’re always looking for ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible and explore exciting new collaborations. This industry thrives on relationships, and at Patchway Studios, we’re committed to not just building strong connections with others — but also becoming a bridge between people, ideas, and organisations.

Whether it’s with partners, creatives, or communities, we aim to be a driving force for collaboration and innovation. (ZD)

For all enquiries about Patchway Studios, please email zach.duthie@patchwaystudios.com.

With many thanks to the team at Patchway Studios for their help in compiling this article.

To have your studio featured in our Spotlight series, please email alex.curry@theknowledgeonline.com.

All images courtesy of Patchway Studios.

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