Bid to entice film crews to set up studio in area

SITE NEAR A38/A50 EARMARKED AS A POTENTIAL PLOT TO PLUG REGIONAL GAP IN FILM PRODUCTION

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

DERBYSHIRE’S council leadership is “rolling out the red carpet” to entice a company to set up a major film studio in the county.

Cllr Rob Reaney, deputy leader at Derbyshire County Council, is at the helm of the bid to plug a regional gap in film production.

He claims less than one per cent of the UK’s TV and film production is taking place in the East Midlands and that this industry blackspot could be catered for within Derbyshire, with most currently looking to Manchester, Sheffield or Birmingham.

Cllr Reaney told the Derby Telegraph the intended location of the potential film studio would be on the 428-acre East Midlands Intermodal Park opposite Toyota's Burnaston HQ, next to the A38/A50 roundabout near Willington.

The intermodal park is a core part of the East Midlands Freeport which includes a variety of financial incentives such as tax breaks for companies setting up shop in the area. Cllr Reaney said this could be an attractive offer.

He also said the proposed plan would be to offer the 321-acre Elvaston Castle Country Park estate and particularly its campsite as a base for production companies to accommodate their crew, cast and extras during filming.