The proposed TV and film studio planned for Dagenham East has moved a step closer to reality following the publication of a study into the project.

Barking and Dagenham Council is now inviting expressions of interests from investors and will start the formal tender process nest year.

The study, jointly commissioned by London Mayor Sadiq, Film London, the London Local Enterprise Panel and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, found that even with expansion by other studios in the London area, the UK could need a further 800,000 square feet to 1.22m square feet of studio space by 2032. The study also found that the studio could generate 780 full time jobs in the local area and £35million for the economy. 
 
The potential site for the new studios at Dagenham East is located in front of Londoneast-UK business and technical park and was scoped out because of its large size, which presents the opportunity to build a new, bespoke facility.
 
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “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.
 
“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.
 
“I am determined to do more to support economic growth and create new jobs across London. A new film studio in Dagenham East will bring hundreds of new jobs to the area, benefiting everyone from carpenters to camera operators.
 
“There are already amazing productions being made in Dagenham and I know these new studios will have us hot on the heels of Hollywood for blockbuster movies, showing the world that London is open to creativity, business and talent.”
 
Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “This is a golden era for London’s screen industries, and the city’s success helps drive growth in film and TV production across the UK as a whole. However, such success brings its own challenges, and if we’re to maintain our position then we need to make sure we can continue to remain competitive and meet global demand. Film London does everything it can to facilitate major filming, from supporting expansion plans to  unlocking ‘alternative’ studio space. New, purpose-built facilities in Dagenham promise to be a tremendous boon for our industry and cement our status as one a global centre for content production. I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor and Cllr Rodwell to make this project a success, and, ultimately, bring jobs, investment and the biggest names in entertainment to this part of east London.”
 
Barbara Broccoli OBE, producer, said: “The demand for studio space in the UK has never been higher and the creation of these studios offers a fantastic opportunity for our industry. East London is a hub of creativity with a strong arts and culture sector and I also believe this studio will offer a new and exciting prospect to the young people of Barking, Dagenham and beyond.”

Stephen Woolley, producer, said: “The UK is witnessing a real production boom for film and TV and it shows no signs of slowing, so new studio space to complement sites like 3 Mills, Pinewood and Shepperton is terrific news. When we shot Made In Dagenham we actually had to film part of it in Wales – if this site had been an option maybe we could have made the whole film in east London!”

Jon Creamer

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