Elstree Studios expansion gets under way

Hertsmere has taken one step closer towards cementing its reputation as the ‘British Hollywood’ as construction work on the expansion of Elstree Studios got under way this week.

Work to build two new soundstages and ancillary workshops on the site of the former Big Brother house has begun, after contractors R. G. Carter Construction were awarded the main contract for the £15.6 million project by studio owners Hertsmere Borough Council.  The two new soundstages, once operational, will create at least 800 new jobs, plus apprenticeship and other learning opportunities for local school leavers and the unemployed. As part of the deal, £100,000 per year from the rental income received by the council will be invested locally into creative industries, including local media and creative enterprise and initiatives.

Oliver Dowden CBE, MP for Hertsmere and secretary of state for DCMS, council leader Cllr Morris Bright MBE and Hertfordshire local enterprise partnership (LEP) board member David Conway joined Roger Morris, managing director of Elstree Studios to mark the occasion of the main construction work beginning. Enabling works has been underway at the site since earlier this year.

Elstree Studios’ managing director, Roger Morris, said: “This is the first new stage build on the Elstree Studios site in over 20 years. It will be there to satisfy client demand for stage space. The new stages will be built to a very high specification, similar to our successful George Lucas stages, and will benefit from the appropriate infrastructure already in place for the Film and TV industry at Elstree Studios. Once built, there will be 9 stages available for clients on site. The new stages are next door to the Elstree Studios backlot currently used by Netflix and Sony Left Bank Pictures’ The Crown, which is just about to begin filming series 5.”

Councillor Morris Bright MBE, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “This is a thrilling moment for Elstree Studios, its owners, Hertsmere Borough Council and all the partners involved in this project.

“The creation of these two new soundstages and ancillary workshops will result in at least 800 new jobs, plus 120 new learner and apprenticeship opportunities. It represents a huge boost for our local economy and ensures new and exciting opportunities ahead for our residents and businesses. Coupled with the creation of the multi-million pound Sky Studios Elstree down the road, this project reinforces Hertsmere’s status as the number-one home for film and TV production. It means that Hertsmere well and truly deserves to be known as ‘British Hollywood’, something we should all feel proud about.”

Councillors met on Wednesday 19 May to approve the award of the contract. In addition, councillors agreed to an increase of £2.2 million for the build, mainly due to construction material price increases. Plans for a new electricity sub-station and enhanced acoustics at the site were also approved, bringing the total project cost to £15.6million.