Acting union calls for 'assurances' over film studio's future

The council began exploring the sale of the studios last year

The actors' union Equity is calling for job assurances after the sale of a TV and film studio fell through.

Bristol City Council, which owns the Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, had voted to explore plans to sell it in October 2024.

The authority has now said it has "not been possible to conclude an agreement" for the sale of the leasehold of the studios to an unknown buyer.

Lynda Rooke, actor and Equity president, said it was vital livelihoods are protected, adding: "Local members are talking about their fear jobs won't be here and that's not just for on-screen, but off-screen as well."

Three series of Stephen Merchant's Outlaws were filmed at the studios

The Bottle Yard Studios is the largest film and TV facility in the West of England, with shows such as The Outlaws, Sherlock and Poldark filmed there.

The site is considered a key facility for national productions with a global reach.

In 2024-25, filming at the Bottle Yard Studio and on location in the city was worth more than £46m to Bristol's economy, according to Bristol Film Office.

Tony Dyer, the leader of Bristol City Council and chair of its strategy and resources committee, said the authority wanted to ensure the studios had a bright future.

"One of the reasons why we entered into this process is because we don't want to hold the Bottle Yard Studios back from doing what it does so well because we're not able to invest ourselves," he said.

"We want to make sure what we provide is good for the studios and it's good for the city and the region."

Lynda Rooke, actress and president of Equity, said her members are worried about the future

But Ms Rooke warned any future sale only protected the studio for the next decade.

"Our fear is that someone will come in and asset-strip it over a period of time," she said.

"There's apparently a 10 year guarantee but that could pass really quickly and suddenly, it's not the studio it is currently.

"Bristol is UNESCO City of Film.

"Now when you have a title like that, you have to live up to that and you have to make sure you support the industry," she added.

The award-winning BBC series Sherlock was also made by The Bottle Yard Studios

After being unable to reach agreement with the unknown bidder, the council said the studios will continue to operate as normal but it had not ruled out selling in the future.

"We entered into this process with the objective of securing a sustainable future for the studios and the opportunity to grow into its huge potential," Mr Dyer said.

"Those aims remain the same, as does our determination to ensure that one of our city's most successful regeneration projects continues an upward trajectory to deliver more jobs and more investment for Bristol."

A meeting will be held in the Autumn to discuss options.