Spotlight on new film and TV studios construction

As competition for viewers hots up between broadcasters and the streaming services, the film and TV sector is providing a growing source of new opportunities for film and TV studios construction.

Industry analysts Glenigan points to heavy investment in new studios and filming facilities for the likes of Netflix is sustaining a strong pipeline of new contracts, particularly in southern England.

Netflix’s share price has been under pressure recently as its subscriber growth slows but there has been no let-up in its investment programme. In all, the group plans to spend over $1 billion in the UK this year creating over 5,000 jobs and some significant new film and TV studios construction activity. It recently signed a new long-term lease at the Longcross Studios in Surrey - home of James Bond - where it plans to build sound stages, studios, and production facilities.

Netflix recently signed a long-term agreement with Aviva Investors, which is the client on a £5 million scheme at Longcross to build three film studio workshops and an office, known as LXN Temporary Studios. Detailed plans have been granted and the project is at the pre-tender stage with work set to start this spring and run for eight months (Project ID: 20000686).

Meanwhile, construction work on one of the film sector’s largest projects, the £121 million expansion of the south side of Shepperton Studios in Surrey, is due to start this summer. In all, it will involve the development of almost 95,000 sq m of space including sound stages, workshops, offices and utilities and work is set to run until 2024 (Project ID 18311697).

Work on the £80 redevelopment of Shepperton’s North West site, where Sir Robert McAlpine is the main contractor, started last July and will run for 21 months (Project ID: 20407134).

Construction work on another major project in the sector, the £180 million Shinfield Studios-Creative Media Hub near Reading, is also due to start this year. Detailed plans have been granted for the scheme which will involve a total of over 84,000 sq m of space including 18 film stages along with workshops and offices (Project ID: 21294782).

The approval of the Shinfield Studios development was a key factor behind a surge in the value of office sector planning approvals in the South East in the fourth quarter. They rose to £447 million, up 231% on a year earlier, according to the latest Glenigan Construction Review.

Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, construction work on the £44 million Belfast Harbour Film Studio - Phase 2 is due to start this year. This will involve a purpose-built 157,000 sq ft film studio as well as sound stages and office space. Belfast Harbour Commissioners is the client on the 18-month scheme where applications to tender are being taken (Project ID: 20360654).

Opportunities are also emerging on smaller and medium size construction contracts as the media and film sector expands. For example, detailed plans have been granted and contracts awarded on a £12 million extension of West London Film Studios in Hillingdon, west London. Work is due to start this spring and run for 13 months (Project ID: 19333518).

Long term, there are also some significant film-related developments in the construction pipeline. Outline plans have been granted and design work is underway on the £500 million Screen Industries Global Growth development at Pinewood Studios in south Bucks. This involves up to 70,000 sq m of space - almost half of which will be film production buildings - alongside new business and education ‘hubs. Work on the project could start in spring 2024 and run for two years (Project ID: 20368819).

Elsewhere in south Bucks, a public consultation has been staged and a planning application is set to be submitted on the £196 million Marlow Studio Project. It will involve 140,000 sq m of film production buildings being built on a former landfill site outside the town with work potentially starting in summer 2023 (Project ID: 21328661).