Hollywood studio plans £700m film and TV studios facility in the UK
August 2, 2021, 3:35 am

Hollywood studio plans £700m film and TV studios facility in the UK

Broxbourne site

The BBC reported that plans for a £700m "world-class" film and TV studios facility in the UK have been announced by a Hollywood studio.

The owners of Sunset Studios in Los Angeles and an investment firm have bought a 91-acre site in Hertfordshire for £120m.

Subject to planning permission, the production centre would be built in Broxbourne.

The government said it was "supporting" the development of such stage spaces across the UK.

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 is also the Conservative MP for the neighbouring Hertsmere constituency, which includes Elstree Studio.

Los Angeles-based studio owner and operator Hudson Pacific has joined with investment company Blackstone and they hoped to transform Broxbourne into a hub for UK and international productions.

The owners of Sunset Studios said they were "thrilled" to be expanding into the UK/Sunset studios

The companies anticipated it would "contribute £300m annually to the local economy" and could create up to 4,500 jobs.

James Seppala, head of Blackstone Real Estate Europe, said the development would "deliver a world-class studio facility that will help ensure that the UK continues to be a premiere destination for content production globally".

It would be the first expansion of the Sunset Studios brand outside the United States, which was home to film productions such as When Harry Met Sally, Zoolander and La La Land.

Victor Coleman, chairman and chief executive of Hudson Pacific, said he was looking forward to "working with Broxbourne Council to ensure the project has a meaningful and positive impact on the local community".

Lewis Cocking, leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, said it was a "fantastic opportunity" for the area.

"Creative industries are of strategic importance to us and the creation of 4,500 permanent new jobs and the associated boost to the local economy is just what we need following the pandemic," he said.

Source: BBC
Image source: sunset studios-BBC

UK and US blame Iran for deadly attack on Israeli tanker US will launch new program to resettle certain Afghans as refugees

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.