Wimbledon Studios goes into administration

wimbledon studiosSouth West London film and TV studio and media village Wimbledon Studios has gone into administration, axing several staff members in the fallout. It comes on the back of the news earlier this week that Riverside Studios is also closing, albeit temporarily.

The administration stems from financial issues between the Studios and Panther Securities PLC, owner of the freehold of the Wimbledon site and 25% stakeholders in the company.

Best known for housing The Iron Lady and Episodes, the complex operates three TV and film studios totalling 21,000 sq ft of production space, employing 16 members of staff - four of whom have been made redundant on the appointment of joint administrators Rob Croxen and Jane Moriarty from KPMG.

The facility also operates the Wimbledon Media Village which houses numerous media and post-production business.

It is believed that the Hat Trick-produced Episodes, which stars Matt LeBlanc, Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan, will be able to continue production having commenced filming just a few days ago.

The studios were also home to police drama The Bill until 2010, and the Sun Hill Police Station set remained active on a hire basis; it was used in productions such as the ITV1 drama Crime Stories.

A statement released by KPMG said: "Despite the financial support from its principal investor and landlord, Panther Securities plc, the business was unable to generate the revenues required to maintain the business. We are now assessing the options available to the business and, with the continued support from Panther Securities, are hopeful that an orderly process can be conducted over the coming weeks."

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