Contracts signed to convert old print-works into TV and film studio

The next steps to securing a TV and film studio in Leeds have been completed, as Leeds City Council has agreed a lease on the old Polestar Petty Printwork site.

This will enable the operator, Versa, to convert the premises into a state-of-the art facility.

Earlier in the year the council’s executive board approved a decision that the council would take a head lease of the property from Caddick Group, which is refurbishing the building, then sublet to Versa Studios which would convert the buildings into six studios ranging from 8,000 to 22,000 sq ft.

This week, contracts have been signed between Leeds City Council and Caddick Group, and the council has also received approval to loan Versa £1.6m to complete external acoustics work which will start ahead of opening the studios in 2020.

With increasing demand for more space to support the flourishing creative sector in the city, the facility will more than double the amount of usable TV and film space and could support up to six new studios. The sector is expanding quickly following key recent announcements of relocations to Leeds by media and TV giants Channel 4 and Sky.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council said: “It is fantastic news that we have made such progress over the last couple of months to now be in a position where we are able to hand over to national operator Versa to start bringing the physical side of the studio to life.

“With Channel 4 recently landing the first of their staff in the city, it is a an extremely exciting time for both this sector and our city as a whole as these additions bring wider economic benefits to the city through jobs and further investment in this area.”

Johnny Caddick, director at Caddick Group, said: “This is an exciting development for the city and the Caddick Group are proud to be a part of it.

“Creativity and culture are a major part of Leeds’ DNA and Channel 4 moving here demonstrates what we can offer to major industry players. This new film and TV studio is just one of the projects, along with our SOYO development in the cultural quarter, which aims to grow the city by providing positive regeneration for all, creating jobs and great places to live.”

Melanie Jones, managing director of All Studios, which will operate the new Leeds Studios, said: “We are very much looking forward to launching Leeds Studios in 2020.

“Having close contacts within all sectors of the TV and Film industries , and in particular Sky and Channel 4 both having made significant investment in the city, our vision is the creation of a very meaningful Media cluster around what will be known as Leeds Studios. We are excited to be formalising our partnership with Ben Hepworth of Prime Studios, already in the city and taking this project forwards together.

“Leeds Studios will be specifically targeted at TV and Film drama making but we will also encourage a cluster of supporting infrastructure including post production companies. It is likely we will also develop a multi camera studio facility in the future to meet demand as it grows in Leeds for this type of space.

“Our sister company has already created a tech and media cluster at Leeds Dock and will continue to grow the Estate, where Leeds Studios will also have a base for supporting business’s, together with the on-site facilities at Whitehall Road following the simultaneous acquisition of Kidd House which will be converted into a media services building.”