Plans to establish Hull's first purpose-built film production complex have been given the green light.
The £3m development will see a 19,700sq ft soundstage erected on a currently vacant site at Priory Park industrial estate.
The facility, set to be operational by the end of next year, is designed to boost Hull's growing reputation as an outdoor film location, particularly for period dramas utilising the Old Town's historic streets and buildings.
Read more:
- Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from Hull with our free newsletter
- Get the headlines direct to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp
Following approval from Hull City Council last week, the complex will also feature dressing rooms, office space and temporary accommodation for visiting film crews within the main building, as well as a standalone joinery and fabrication workshop. The project is being led by city-based independent film production company Northern Films, which has its premises adjacent to the site in Saltmarsh Court.
The company's existing building has recently been transformed into a multi-use film production base. Once open, visiting film companies will not only be able to hire the new facility but will also be encouraged to collaborate with local individuals eager to break into the industry.
The ultimate goal is to involve local university and sixth-form students, as well as young people from low-income backgrounds.
Andrew Fenton, director of Northern Films, has highlighted the potential for Hull to become a major hub for television and film production. He said: "Television and film production is a major growth industry in the UK and, for a variety of reasons but mainly cost, companies are increasingly looking for production bases outside of London.
"We believe we can offer top-quality facilities right here in Hull. We have the perfect location to meet the very specific requirements of the industry and a strong long-standing network of existing businesses in Hull with the sort of skills that are essential in set design and construction. The soundstage will add to what we already have here and the two buildings will be physically linked by a footbridge between the upper floors."
Fenton's business has transitioned from a commercial design studio, primarily creating showrooms for automotive industry clients, to a fully-fledged film studio. Their first feature film, a comedy drama set in Hull titled 'The Last Trip', is slated for a November cinema release.
He further added: "We already have post-production and grading facilities, sound mastering, visual effects and CGI here along with sets, rehearsal space and a hospitality area so adding a soundstage is the next logical step for us. A big emphasis for us is providing opportunities for young people locally to get into the industry is now offering the opportunity to learn new in-demand skills without having to relocate to London.
"Everything we have done so far, including making The Last Trip, has followed that ethos. It was fully produced using local skills and people with no experience in film production.
"We feel the skills being taught are not the current expectations of the industry so this building and the concept behind it will provide those skills locally. Most soundstage facilities are usually landlord-operated and are just spaces to hire out with very limited opportunities for local people. However, we hope this will be very different.
"In addition, we will employ local freelancers to oversee the upkeep and management of the building while the ultimate aim is to establish a long-term programme of productions rather than living hand-to-mouth off one-off projects. In that way, it will create regular work for local freelancers."
Mr Fenton said he had already received positive interest from a number of UK film production companies.
