Public Service Broadcasters gravitate to Space

BBC, ITV and Channel 4 now all resident at Space Studios Manchester with host of forthcoming dramas for 2015

Space Studios Manchester, the UK’s newest, independent production facility in West Gorton in Manchester, is pleased to report that all three of UK’s major drama commissioning, public service broadcasters have now all taken up residence at the site, simultaneously making use of the stages and support zones.

The BBC’s ‘Worlds End‘, which took Stages 4 & 5 at Space Studios Manchester in May before the facility was officially opened to create the new CBBC drama, have added to their presence with ‘Boy Meets Girl’ from Tiger Aspect, the UK’s first transgender sitcom for BBC2.

Channel 4 has been making use of stage space and support zones at Space Studios Manchester since May, serving as the production base for ‘No Offence‘, the latest drama from Shameless creator Paul Abbott.

ITV complete the mainstream PSB line-up with ‘Safe House’, Michael Crompton’s tale of a married couple who turn their guest house into a safe house produced by Eleventh Hour Films, as well as Coronation Street, which has stepped away from its base at MediaCityUK to film a secret storyline for transmission early next year.

All four productions across the three public service broadcasters are currently making use of the stages, office space, dressing rooms, prop store, workshop and AV facilities at Space Studios Manchester for what are set to be standout dramas for 2015. Not officially open until late May, in less than six months the 360,000 sq. ft. facility in East Manchester is already attracting significant interest in its five circa 10,000 sq. ft. stages and custom built support facilities.

Sue Woodward, OBE, FRSA, Founder of Space Studios Manchester and sister site The Sharp Project, said of the news: “To barely be open for six months and to have four wonderful dramas from the UK’s most popular and strident commissioning departments working with us on their productions is a fantastic early indicator of the huge potential of this exciting new addition to the UK production landscape. Serving as a magnet for production companies either looking for an alternative to under-spec, makeshift warehouses, or to escape the escalating costs of an over-heating sector in London, we’re more than happy to say to the TV industry that we’re open for business and happy to have you on board.”

Kaye Elliot at Creative England, added: “2014 has been another fantastic year for the TV and film sector, with Creative England recording and facilitating record levels of production in Greater Manchester. Space Studios Manchester couldn’t have come at a better time for the region, providing premium studio space to meet the increasing demand. It’s a real testament to the city’s support for the sector and provides yet more viable alternatives to productions wanting to shoot outside London.”