A partnership to boost progress at a growing cultural media zone in Hartlepool is taking another step forward.
Led by Hartlepool Borough Council, the aim of creating a Production Village in the Lynn Street and Whitby Street areas of Hartlepool is to build on the town’s burgeoning screen industries sector and film-making pedigree.
Tees Valley Combined Authority is putting almost £2million towards the project – and now the Hartlepool Development Corporation is joining forces with Hartlepool Council to fund the next stage of efforts to review and expand the town’s film studios.
The Development Corporation board will be asked to agree the move to jointly fund the next stage of work at a meeting on Tuesday, 15 October.
The TV and Film Industry in the North East is expanding rapidly.
The Northern School of Art (NSoA) converted the former bus sheds on Lynn Street in Hartlepool into film studios with help of the Council and Combined Authority.
Working with North East Screen (NES), the region’s Screen Agency, The Northern Studios have now housed several high profile productions, with a string of productions seeing filming take place on location across our region.
Now rising investment and demand means there is a need to expand the offer – while also boosting the growth of Hartlepool town centre to create more jobs.
Tees Valley Mayor and chair of Hartlepool Development Corporation Ben Houchen said: “Our region is fast becoming one of the go to places for film production. We want to build on this success, work even closer together, and attract the brightest and best to Hartlepool through the Production Village.
“Not only will this vision bring more jobs to the town, it will inspire our next generation of talent and ensure the great young minds we have can stay in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool and go far in their careers.”
Hartlepool Council’s successful £16.5million Levelling Up Fund bid in 2023 is central to the vision with the authority leading on the Production Village & Northern Studios project.
Cllr Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Culture, added: “We are delighted to be working with the Hartlepool Development Corporation on this fantastic project which is set to have a truly transformative effect on the town.
“This reflects our on-going commitment to create high-quality job opportunities for local people, whilst also encouraging graduates from the Northern School of Art to stay in the town and to develop their careers here.”
The £11.4million North East Screen Industries Partnership has been backed by £4.5million of investment from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, and is being delivered by North East Screen.
The partnership was established to build on the BBC’s huge commitment to invest £25million in the region to help fund TV production and talent development across our creative sectors.
Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, said: “”Film and TV production in the region has increased 89% in the past two years and we are already seeing the impact of that with £40.2million in GVA and 650 full time equivalent jobs created. The development of the Production Village in Hartlepool will strengthen our region’s ability to welcome incoming productions all year round and provide more opportunities for the brilliant companies and talent here.
“The Production Village will create a creative cluster that can provide world-class accessible and sustainable services to the industry, pipelines for local talent and ensure our region is a great place to live and work.”
The Development Corporation, Council and Northern School of Art are currently exploring the creation of a non-profit special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the Screen Industries Production Village project. The idea of this is to boost investment in the project and bring organisations together.