Bristol City Council have confirmed the sale of Bottle Yard Studios can go ahead.
Opened in 2010, the studios are currently owned by the council, which has said the facility has had a “transformative” effect on the region’s film and TV industry. Figures released by Bristol Film Office indicate that film and HETV production at Bottle Yard is worth more than £20 million per annum to the local economy.
However, amid changes in the film and TV production marketplace along with local authority ownership and investment reviews, the council’s Strategy and Resources policy committee was asked to identify a purchaser to ensure future investment opportunities can be maximised.
Councillors voted in favour of finding a buyer for the long leasehold. In a statement, a council spokesperson said, “Officers have been given permission to move a proposed sale to the next step and identify a potential buyer for the studios,” before confirming that councillors will reconvene to consider the next steps.
Ahead of a council meeting to discuss proposals, Laura Aviles, Bristol City Council’s head of film, said, “I’m pleased that the future of The Bottle Yard is being placed high on the agenda by Council leaders. There is absolutely no doubt that the Studios have had a transformative effect on the film and TV industry in Bristol and the West.”
