Written by Kianna Best on Apr 20, 2024. Posted in General Interest

Stirling to welcome new major film and television studios

Stirling Council in Scotland announced the opening of their new film and television studios. The development, built on former Ministry of Defence land at Forthside currently provides 100,000 sq ft of studio space and 110,000 sq ft for production as assessed by experts. Becoming one of Scotland’s largest film campuses, the facility will provide thousands of jobs for the local community.

Isabel Davis, Executive Director Screen Scotland; UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont; Stirling Council Leader Cllr Chris Kane; Stirling Council Chief Executive Carol Beattie. (image courtesy of Stirling Council)

Stirling Council chief executive Carol Beattie  commented: “In a previous role as Director of Creative Industries for Scottish Development International, I knew there was still an opening for more production space in Scotland. At that point, I spent time in London speaking to the British Film Commission and studio operators such as Pinewood, Three Mills and Warner Brothers to understand the specifications of a good site. When I saw the unique buildings and location at Forthside, I considered it to be a fantastic fit, which has since been confirmed through our close consultation with the industry, including Screen Scotland.”

In an independent assessment, the new studio is estimated to create over 4,000 jobs in 25 years across a range of occupations. Contributing significant investment and job opportunities, as well as economic and social benefits, the opening of the new studio facility will also boost the already growing local industry. 2021 saw a total spend of GBP 5.64 billion in TV and film production, with the rate of such doubles between 2019 and 2021 in Scotland alone according to a report from Screen Scotland.

Located on the former Ministry of Defence site at Forthside, the construction of the studios saw the land transferred to the Council through Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal. This totalled to GB 214 million in a partnership between Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, the University of Stirling and the UK and Scottish Governments. The project is also supported by the GBP 19 million grant from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund for redevelopment and regeneration of Forthside.