BRISTOL PHARMATECH SECURES ALMOST £1 MILLION GROWTH FUNDING CITY INVESTS MORE THAN £11 MILLION IN STUDIOS

More big-budget film and TV productions could be attracted to the region with an £11.8 million investment from the West of England Combined Authority to expand The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol.

The studios host many productions, from drama, feature films to gameshows and commercials. Its growth will help support other businesses across the region which rely on film and TV production opportunities.

Tim Bowles, Mayor of the West of England, said: “The Bottle Yard Studios is a terrific example of our region’s vibrant creative sector that brings so much joy to people right across the globe.”

The expansion plan, which could create around 1,000 jobs over a 10-year period, includes the conversion of an industrial property at South Bristol’s Hawkfield Business Park (half a mile from the main Bottle Yard site), into three sound stages, complete with production offices, prop stores and costume/make-up areas.

The proposed works will take the number of sound stages available at the studios from eight to 11.

Laura Aviles, at Bristol City Council who is responsible for The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office, said: “The Bottle Yard Studios have seen a significant post-Covid rise in demand for space, which was already high before the pandemic. Many production companies are now seeking to secure studios for multiple year periods.

“With more high-end TV titles opting to shoot in Bristol, this expansion will enable the studios to attract an even greater percentage of that potential business to the region.

“Valuable jobs will be generated for Bristol’s talented crew base, local companies will see an increase in workflow and vital career opportunities for industry entrants from all parts of the city will be created, particularly for those living close to the Studios in South Bristol. All at a time when these opportunities are needed more than ever.”

A leading provider of market intelligence, data and events to the global plastics industry has secured a £3 million refinance and working capital facility by investor ThinCats.

Founded in Bristol in 1986, Applied Market Information historically ran more than 60 events in Europe, North America and Asia each year, featuring more than 1,000 expert presentations and attracting more than 10,000 plastics industry professionals.

The Covid-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to the business, given the considerable impact on the events industry worldwide so AMI moved many events online.

Andy Symons, CEO at AMI, said: “While the dramatic shift to the virtual world has been forced on us, it has highlighted a number of very positive areas for growth and improved productivity. This funding is instrumental in allowing us to pursue these goals.”