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Planned £11.8m expansion of Bottle Yard Studios on track
Expansion of The Bottle Yard Studios represents an opportunity for Bristol to harness growth in the thriving film production sector and create 1,000 new jobs.
The Hengrove site has been home to the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Poldark, and is currently working with the teams behind Stephen Merchant’s new BBC/Amazon Prime series The Offenders, Netflix Original series The Last Bus and Starz Original series Becoming Elizabeth, among many others.
Long-awaited proposals to expand production capacity will see the conversion of an industrial building on nearby Hawkfield Business Park to create three new sound stages, complete with accompanying production offices, prop stores, costume and makeup areas and break out spaces.
A major investment by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has helped get the plans on track, with a commitment of £135,000 to develop a full business case and the allocation of a further £11.73m for the site purchase costs and to enable the works.
It is estimated that the expansion will create around 1,000 jobs over a ten-year period as part of a wider aim to maintain and grow film and TV production across the Bristol region.
Laura Aviles, a senior film manager for Bristol City Council who is responsible for The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office, says the money is a positive step in the right direction.
“At The Bottle Yard Studios, we’ve seen a significant post-Covid rise in demand for space, which was already high before the pandemic,” says Laura.
“Many production companies are now seeking to secure studios for multiple year periods. With more high-end TV titles opting to shoot in Bristol than ever before, this expansion will enable The Bottle Yard Studios to attract an even greater percentage of that potential business to the region.
“Valuable jobs will be generated for Bristol’s talented crew base, local companies will see an increase in workflow and vital career opportunities for industry entrants from all parts of the city will be created, particularly for those living close to the studios in south Bristol. All at a time when these opportunities are needed more than ever.”
The planned expansion of The Bottle Yard Studios include conversation of industrial property on Hawkfield Business Park – image courtesy of The Bottle Yard Studios
The proposed works will take the number of sound stages available at The Bottle Yard Studios from eight to 11, whilst improvement work will also be carried out on the existing buildings at the main Hengrove site.
Welcoming the investment, mayor Marvin Rees said: “This decision is another significant investment in south Bristol and is a major boost to our wider regeneration plans, bringing growth and jobs into the area. The demand for screen content is growing worldwide.
“The expansion of the Bottle Yard Studios means we can harness this growth in the sector and continue Bristol’s success as a creative destination, ensuring local people and the city economy benefit long-term as we plan our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock was shot at The Bottle Yard Studios – photo courtesy of the BBC
West of England mayor Tim Bowles called The Bottle Yard Studios “a terrific example of our region’s vibrant creative sector that brings so much joy to people right across the globe”.
He added: “I’m very pleased that as part of our Economic Recovery plan, we can help Bottle Yard Studios with £11.8m to expand and, with support from my team at Invest Bristol and Bath, attract more production companies to the West of England to help showcase the wonderful talent and opportunities we have in our region.”
Main photo on the set of The Pale Horse (BBC One) – by James Pardon / © Mammoth Screen 2019
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