Winnersh Film Studios Set to Spark Local Buzz with New Takeover!

Winnersh Film Studios, located in Winnersh Triangle Business Park in Reading, has been empty since April 2024. The studio was previously run by Stage Fifty, but after the company went into administration, the building was left unused. Recently, SCIO Capital, which also owns Wycombe Film Studios in Buckinghamshire, secured a 30-year lease to take over the site. Laurence McCormack, the operations director, believes that reopening the studio will benefit both the local community and the film industry. He and Terry Winter, the project manager at Wycombe Film Studios, both worked for Stage Fifty before it closed.

The film industry has faced a tough period over the last 18 months, especially after the writers and actors strikes in the United States in 2023. These strikes caused many studios to slow down or stop their work. However, Mr McCormack says there are now signs that things are improving. He points out that there has been an increase in smaller independent films being made in the UK, and Winnersh Film Studios is well suited for these types of productions because of its size and location. Mr Winter adds that the studio offers more than just a space to build sets. Its location means filmmakers can shoot scenes in the nearby park, on the surrounding streets, or even in the stairwells of other buildings. This gives productions a lot of flexibility and options.

When the studio was open, Mr Winter remembers there was a 'good buzz' in the area. Mr McCormack says the studio was good for the local economy because making films requires many supplies, such as construction materials and hair and makeup services. He says they always encourage filmmakers to use local businesses for these needs. After Stage Fifty closed, the business park felt empty and lifeless. Mr McCormack believes that reopening the studio will bring back excitement and activity to the area, helping local businesses and creating new opportunities. The hope is that Winnersh Film Studios will once again become a lively place where movies are made and the community benefits.