Film-makers losing space race
Nation overlooked for movies due to lack of studio access, finds study
SCOTLAND is losing film and TV business overseas because of the lack of available studio space, according to new new analysis.
A research report for Scottish Enterprise shows a “very tight market” for film studios across the UK, with “scarce” studio space to meet the demand.
The Film and TV Market Update, by Ekos consultants, said: “Producers report real constraints on available studio space, and as a result there is anecdotal feedback that the UK may be losing some business overseas, particularly to Eastern Europe where studios are available, together with a skilled crew base.”
Game of Thrones, the popular fantasy drama, chose to film in Northern Ireland because of a lack of suitable facilities in Scotland, and the new report says there is still a clear need for a film studio north of the Border.
The developers behind a multimillion-pound private bid to build a studio in Straiton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, said the report underlines an “irrefutable gap” in the market. This week film-makers again expressed frustration with the scale and pace of studio building in Scotland, and backed the Pentlands plan, which is awaiting planning permission.
The £140 million plan is currently being considered by ministers after being “called in” from Midlothian Council.
Last week the Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld said it is applying for planning permission to expand its studios, currently used by the Outlander TV series.
However, the new 30,000 sq ft sound stage, funded by £4m in public money, will not be built, its owner Terry Thomson said, unless there is a sound business case for the expansion, a decision he will make later this year.
The Ekos report suggests that the demand for studio space would facilitate the building of the new soundstage. A statement said: “PSL Land Ltd welcome the evidence of the updated Ekos report which underpins the very basis of the market demand and current value and spend across high-end film and television productions, as well as confirming the urgent need for large and adaptable studio space with state of the art facilities in which to shoot.
“There is an irrefutable gap in the market in Scotland which the Pentland Studios development will uniquely fulfil, across all criteria.”
The report says that tax relief schemes have “substantially enhanced” the competitiveness of the UK in the film industry.
However, it adds: “Scotland’s competitive offer is weakened by the lack of suitable production space, and additional incentives to mitigate against the dominance of the south of England and London area.”
David Smith, director of Creative Industries at Scottish Enterprise, said: “The update report shows similar findings to the original report: there has been growth in UK production spend as a result of tax relief schemes, this growth continues to create strong demand for studio space across the UK, which in turn continues to present a real opportunity for Scotland to provide TV and film studio space.”