A new village for the TV and film industry could turn a town into a “hotbed for world-class” productions, developers hope.
Plans are in the works to create the film production village in Hartlepool, which designers have said would establish it as a “significant creative centre” in the north-east of England.
The development would see the expansion of The Northern Studios complex and the creation of a production village in the Lynn Street and Whitby Street area.
North East Screen chief executive Alison Gwynne said the two projects would boost the wider creative industries and “provide opportunities for local people who have previously had to leave the region to work in the industry”.
Hartlepool Borough Council is leading on the production village project and has received £16.5m from the Levelling Up Fund to support the development.
Council leader Brenda Harrison said: “Creating jobs, driving investment in Hartlepool and delivering regeneration are all key aims of our council and this project delivers all three in an abundance.”
Boosting ‘job prospects’
The Northern Studios expansion is set to be funded by £15m from the Tees Valley Investment Zone, which has a total of £160m allocated to drive the creative and digital sectors.
Northern Studios is the only large-scale film and TV studio in the North East and helped produce feature film Jackdaw and BBC comedy Smoggie Queens.
The studios are based next to the Northern School of Art, which provides training courses for the creative industries.
Principal Martin Raby said the projects would bring economic benefits to the town and “provide work experience opportunities for students and boost employment prospects for our graduates”.
More information about the projects can be found at two consultation events taking place this week.
The first will be held on 15 April at The Northern Studios, while the second will take place the following day at the former H&M unit at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. Both will be held from 12:00 to 19:00 BST.
Credit: BBC
