Dagenham “ideal” for new film studio
Dagenham in east London has been judged an “ideal location” for a major film and TV studio facility, according to a new report.
Plans for the studio – which would be the first major new facility of its kind in London for a quarter of a century – were first announced last autumn and a feasibility study followed.
The report found that Dagenham has the right transport connectivity for a studio, while there is significant demand for a new permanent production facility in London that could help create local jobs.
“London is a global capital for film - from Bond to Bridget Jones and Star Wars to Paddington - our capital is world-renowned for its film industry and has at least 40 crews out on London’s streets filming every single day,” said Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London.
“But we mustn’t rest on our laurels. I want London to be the most film-friendly city in the world and today’s study demonstrates the huge demand for large-scale film studios in the UK.”
Several of the south-east’s major studios – such as Pinewood and Elstree – are carrying out long-term expansion plans to cater for international production demands. However, the new report found that more stage capacity will nonetheless be required, with up to 1.22m square feet likely to be needed by 2020.
Barking and Dagenham Council is now looking for development partners for the studio, through its urban regeneration company Be First.
The Star Wars franchise is currently based at Pinewood Studios outside London and the capital itself is one of the top international locations for US feature films.
Main page image: FreeImages.com/Francisco Navarro. Image: iStock.com
Also on The Knowledge
New studio launched in south-west London
A new studio has been launched in south-west London by Simon Vaughan and Damian Keogh, British TV producers and co-founders of The Story Collective.
Major new studio planned for Scotland
A major new studio has been greenlit for Scotland with partial funding from the UK government.
Steven Knight drama showcases West Midlands locations
Steven Knight’s new 1980s-set drama, This Town, filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios and on locations around the West Midlands.
Blankety Blank wins two more series
Thames has greenlit two more series of revamped game show Blankety Blank for delivery to BBC One.
Peaky Blinders film to shoot in September
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has confirmed that the film version of the period drama is eyeing a September start.
Shepperton expansion opens as Amazon MGM and Netflix move in
The major new expansion of Shepperton Studios is now open with the third series of Prime Video’s The Devil’s Hour now filming.
