Pinewood Group has launched a screen industries growth hub with an investment of £450 million, called Screen Hub UK, at the Pinewood Studios site in Buckinghamshire.
Screen Hub UK will be based on a 77-acre site adjacent to the famous studio, which will be expanded to include a film-inspired visitor attraction with 350,000 square feet of space, called Pinewood Studio Experience.
In addition, there will be new film production facilities with ‘live’ links to the Pinewood Studio Experience, an educational training and skills hub, creative industries business growth hub, and green campus.
It’s thought that the project will result in the creation of approximately 3,500 new jobs. It will also put £230 million annually into the economy.
“The government and Buckinghamshire LEP have recognised Pinewood Studios as a major economic asset to be enhanced with the creation of a screen growth hub for the UK,” said Paul Golding, chairman of Pinewood Group.
Film-inspired visitor attraction at Pinewood Studios
We have today announced plans on land adjacent to Pinewood Studios—#ScreenHubUK. Estimates are that the Screen Hub UK is likely to result in the creation of around 3,500 new jobs and add £230m pa into the economy. Learn more here: https://t.co/zz9kQlvKvZ pic.twitter.com/YtC61IIpxm
— pinewoodstudios (@PinewoodStudios) September 17, 2020
“We are pleased to be able to respond with this scheme,” he added. “We have been looking at a visitor experience for some time and feel that now is the right moment to bring it forward.
“The project will strengthen UK film and bring much needed jobs and spending. We hope our planning application will receive widespread support.”
The project will implement the proposals contained in the UK government’s creative industries deal, the tourism sector deal, and the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership local industrial strategy.
Pinewood Group is preparing the application and is set to begin consultations with the local community and wider stakeholders next week.
Studio tours are increasing in popularity, with councillors granting planning permission for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, an interactive attraction at Linen Mill Studios in Northern Ireland.
Elsewhere, Toshimaen amusement park has ceased operations, making way for Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, opening on the grounds of Toshimaen in 2023.
