A new movie studio is to be built in Herfordshire, North of London, in a bid to encourage companies such as Amazon and Netflix to base more productions in the UK.
Sunset Studios, backed by Blackstone Real Estate Partners and Hudson Pacific, has acquired a 91-acre site in Broxbourne for £120 million. In all the companies plan to spend £700 million on the project, creating 4,500 jobs locally.
“We are thrilled to expand our Sunset Studios platform in the UK, a global hub for film and television production,” said Victor Coleman, chairman and CEO of Hudson Pacific. “With our expertise developing and operating state-of-the-art media campuses and Blackstone’s resources and existing market presence, we are confident this facility will be in high demand from leading content creators.”
Sunset Studios already owns three sites in Hollywood that have provided the stage for movies including La La Land, Karate Kid and Zoolander.
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “This new studio is yet another vote of confidence in the UK’s booming film and TV industry.
“Through the British Film Commission, we’re supporting the development of stage spaces like this across the UK – boosting the local economy and backing our world-class creatives to make the next Bond blockbuster or bingeworthy box set.”
Mr Dowden’s neighbouring Hertsmere constituency includes Elstree, where Sky has been developing its own state-of-the-art film & TV facility.
