Potential London Film Studio Planned

It has been revealed that plans are underway to build a new film studio in Dagenham. If it goes ahead, it could be the capital's largest film studio.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, has joined Film London, the London Local Enterprise Panel and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to commission a feasibility study into the potential facility which would be located at Dagenham East. The process will be led by Film London, in consultation with the film and television industry.

The potential site for the studios is located in front of London-east industrial park and has been chosen for its size. The area is well connected with the District Line and Crossrail services nearby, allowing quick access to central London. It would also create a range of permanent jobs in the East End with ambitions to diversify the industry's workforces, recognising broader skillsets that are necessary for film production – from carpenters to sound technicians.

The London Local Enterprise Partnership and Barking and Dagenham Council will invest up to £80,000 to develop a business case for the proposed new studios. This will take a detailed look at the demand for such a facility and the economic benefit that it could bring to East London and the city as a whole.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "From James Bond and Star Wars to Harry Potter and Bridget Jones's Baby, London has a vibrant production history and some of the best studios in the world. To sustain and grow this success story, it is critical that the capital gets significantly more studio and production capacity to maximise the opportunities for filmmaking. London is open to the best creative and cultural minds and I am looking forward to exploring whether a new film studio in Dagenham could help the capital's film industry thrive for years to come."

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, added: "We are working together to create a blockbuster deal to generate hundreds of exciting opportunities for local young people and bolster Barking and Dagenham's reputation as London's latest creative hotspot. Our ambition is that in future, Dagenham will become world famous for films rather than Fords."

Around three-quarters of the UK's film industry is based in and around London. Last year, some £1 billion was attracted to the city in inward investment from international film production. The third busiest city for film production in the world after Los Angeles and New York, the new studio space in London would help meet increasing demand and ensure more large-scale productions come to the area.

(JP/LM)