All go for Dagenham Film Studios
Barking and Dagenham Council has signed an agreement with global media real estate leader Hackman Capital Partners (HCP) to build London’s largest film and TV production centre on land adjacent to Londoneast-UK in Dagenham.
Eastbrook Studios London will be the capital’s largest studio campus. The project comes with planning permission, and HCP’s ambitious plans include up to 12 sound stages, three acres of backlot, offices and ancillary space, totalling over half a million square feet.
HCP’s hundreds of millions in direct investment will also involve an endowment to maximise local jobs, placements, apprenticeships, community outreach and supply chain opportunities.
The studios will be a major boost for the borough, the entertainment industry and the capital, creating an estimated 1,200 jobs, contributing £35m per year to the local economy and inspiring more development into thriving East London.
Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “We are making history. Dagenham used to be famous for factories and Fords but in the future, we will be equally famous for making films. It’s not for the glamour or glory. It’s about bringing in thousands of jobs, providing education and training opportunities for local young people, and giving people hope in these gloomy Covid times. So, I am hugely proud to announce HCP as our partner. They are the right people at the right time. It’s the ‘reel deal’ for our borough, London and the UK. Movies will be Made in Dagenham.”
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London said: “This is a very special moment for Dagenham, our capital and all those who have been working hard to realise this bold vision of bringing new world-class film studios to East London. It is a very significant investment and boost to our economy that will create 1,200 jobs, inspire further development and creative opportunities, and secure our position as a global capital for film and TV. We are already seeing that the success of this industry will help our economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic, and these studios will play a key role in our city’s future.”
Tony Barry, Chief Executive of BD Group, commented, “This is exciting news for Dagenham and for Londoneast-UK. It will be a massive boost for the local area and the people of Dagenham, bringing fantastic opportunities for local people and businesses. We look forward to welcoming Eastbrook Studios London as our neighbour.”
The site will be leased to HCP on a 250-year basis. Building work is set to start next year and filming could start as early as mid-2022 with the studio fully operational by 2023.
The studios will be built on a site next to Londoneast-UK, a multi-occupancy business and science park owned by BD Group. Londoneast-UK is home to many diverse businesses and offers first class office, warehousing and laboratory facilities and fantastic transport links.
For more information on Hackman Capital Partners, visit www.hackmancapital.com.