New £3m film and TV production studios due to open in Hartlepool within months

The North East’s first dedicated large-scale studios is being created on a disused council bus depot off Lynn Street next to The Northern School of Art’s campus.

The £3.76m Northern Studios will be a 30,0000 sq ft facility to cater for professional film and TV production companies making movies and ‘high-end’ programmes.

Due to open by summer 2021 and developed with industry specialists, it will also include a new teaching building for undergraduate students studying stage and screen degrees to learn the skills they need to progress in the industry.

The collaborative project is funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, including £1million of government Local Growth, in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council.

Mayor Houchen said: “From the hugely popular detective series Vera to blockbuster war film 1917, Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have hosted some amazing film and TV productions and there are always companies looking to film exciting, large-scale productions region.

"This brilliant new development will provide an even bigger draw for them, helping to support our fantastic creative sector and create good-quality well paid jobs for local people eager to work within TV and film.”

Northern School of Art principal Dr Martin Raby said the studios would put Hartlepool on the screen industry map and offers huge potential for filmmakers wishing to make use of great locations all within a 30-mile radius.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that this long-planned project is now underway and will be open for use by professional cast and crew from summer 2021.”

It is expected the development will also see the creation of several linked businesses from equipment hire through to catering, transport and building supplies, plus job opportunities for graduate students.

Top Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott, from North Shields, is a previous student of the art school.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, added: “We look forward to Hartlepool growing into an important centre of creative excellence in film and television, building a reputation both nationally and around the world.”

The studios will also offer large scale sound stage facilities, large green screen studio, production offices and large secure lot for production units.

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