The UK’s TV and film production space is growing once again with plans announced for a brand new facility set to open in Bedfordshire in 2024.
Home of Production (HOP) Studios is a joint venture between Quartermaster Entertainment and VERB, a Cathexis company operating against a backdrop of targeted investments in technical real estate sectors.
The aim is to provide fully flexible sound stages created by producers, for producers, that will cater to the specific needs of production workflows, said the two companies. The company’s ambition is to eventually create a network across the UK and internationally.
The central Bedfordshire site is subject to planning approval, with a public consultation on the proposed plans taking place during April 2022 and then again in June 2022.
The 1.3million sq ft site will provide sound stages, workshops, storage and offices with additional planned space for supporting craftspeople and services in an easy access creative hub.
Katya Baker of Quartermaster Entertainment said: “Having spent many years working in the film and TV industry, I have had my fair share of studio experiences, both good and bad. Whereas technology, the broadcasting landscape and working culture have moved at pace, facilities have not; no one can claim to have the capabilities to truly cater for all the complexities of modern productions. Having explored the ongoing lack of capacity despite the various studio expansions, the need for new studio space is very real, and not just space.
“The HOP philosophy is about inspirational and creative working environments,” she added. “We want our studio spaces to work to the needs of producers and the whole production team, enabling everyone to be at their most productive through providing state-of-the-art, sustainable, flexible, accessible spaces that will really help with the mental and physical challenges of production.”
