Rural production studio set to beat city rivals thanks to £30,000 grant

A SPECIALIST TV and digital media company based in the heart of rural North Yorkshire is generating new business after transforming an old barn into a state-of-the-art production studio.

Lucy and Richard Critchlow, founder of Dependable Productions in Borrowby, near Thirsk, were able to renovate the disused barn after securing a £30,000 Rural Enterprise Investment Programme grant.

The building now boasts office space, a high definition edit suite, a small green screen studio facility and DVD duplicating equipment.

Richard Critchlow said that since opening the new facility business had increased and additional staff could be employed soon.

Among the projects completed include one for Leeds-based Arla Foods and Absolute Radio’s Christmas Zoo sessions featuring musicans Paul Weller and Travis.

A number of projects are currently in production such as one that brings together all Yorkshire and Humber local authorities and work for Durham County Council.

“The quality of our new facility now matches the quality of the product we offer. We can now invite clients to participate in the post production process, which we couldn’t really do when we were based at home,” said Mr Critchlow.

“Our new commercial DVD duplicator allows us complete control of both the cost and quality of the entire process where previously duplication had been out-sourced. Bringing this process in house has also increased our profitability,” he added.

The couple both have TV production backgrounds having worked at the BBC on projects such as Concorde’s last flight, and the New Year’s Eve firework display on the London Eye.

The Rural Enterprise Investment Programm is jointly funded by the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the European Union and is regionally managed by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Tom Riordan, chief executive at Yorkshire Forward said; “I am delighted Dependable Productions is doing so well as a direct result of Yorkshire Forward’s support and also organisations are choosing a Yorkshire company for their digital and media production needs.

“I would urge other rural businesses to take advantage of the Rural Enterprise Investment Programme. More than 80% of our region is rural, so it is vital that we support the growth of businesses in our rural communities if we are to grow the region’s economy as a whole.”