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Bectu welcomes plans for Pinewood Studios’ ‘Screen Hub’, opens new office in studio complex

21 July 2022

Bectu welcomes Pinewood Studios’ planning application submission for an £800 million expanded Screen Hub scheme.

The ‘Pinewood South’ studios scheme would deliver 20 new purpose-built sound stages with workshops and offices on 82 acres of land to the south of the existing studios. The scheme is estimated to create over 8,000 new jobs and add around £640m p.a. to economic productivity.

The proposals include an education/training hub intended to be run by the National Film and Television School and a business growth hub supported by Creative UK and Buckinghamshire Business First. Together they form ‘Centre Stage’, which is designed to support skills development and start-ups for the film industry.

It comes as Bectu is opening a new office in the heart of the studio complex, giving the union direct access to crew working in film and TV across the Pinewood Estate.

Bectu National Secretary Spencer MacDonald said:

“We have a world-class film and TV industry here in the UK and this latest move to further grow our screen industries is fantastic news. The UK film and TV sector is of huge importance to the UK economy and this proposal will allow the UK to maintain its world-class status in film and TV production.

“We’re particularly pleased to see Pinewood’s commitment to education, skills and training; as the industry continues to expand it’s important to invest in the skillset of our talented workforce.

“We’re really pleased to be opening a new office in the heart of the studio complex and look forward to being able to work even more closely with the studios, and with film and TV crew, to continue campaigning for our members.

“At a time when the industry is thriving and studio space is being developed to keep up with high demand, it’s critical that the industry prioritises and invests in its crew, who are a key contributors to its success.”