Sunderland supports region’s bid to become “UK leading” film and TV production hub

The “city of light” is now set to add cameras and action, as Sunderland City Council has pledged commitment to becoming a filming-friendly location.

Council chief executive, Patrick Melia, signed a Filming Friendly Charter on behalf of the local authority with North East Screen, which is developing and championing North East England as a “UK leading film and TV production hub”, where industry talent can live, create and work, committing to a partnership to create a filming-friendly region.

In signing the pledge, the council has committed to measures to make Sunderland a “more attractive” destination for film and media, including simplified ways of working with crews and production teams, improved cooperation with filming requests, and working with North East Screen and production companies on press releases and publicity.

Patrick commented: “Sunderland is committed to working with North East Screen to make the region more attractive and “Filming Friendly”, and, in doing so, we recognise the positive economic and cultural benefits hosting filming activity can have on the city and wider region.”

The signing builds on the council’s support for the region’s TV and film production industry as part of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), formed to level-up the regional film and TV industries by more than doubling its 2019 share of the UK production market and delivering a regional economic impact of £88m per annum.

Last year, the BBC pledged to increase production and support the creative sector, with a commitment to invest almost £25m in the region over the next five years, funding TV production and talent development. North East authorities agreed to provide a combined additional £11.4m over the same term.

It is hoped the new pledge will strengthen Sunderland’s position as a filming location. Already, the city has hosted the filming of BBC programmes including Northern Justice, Ambulance, Angels of the North Series 4, Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes and Charlotte Crosby’s Observation Documentary.

Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen, added: “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit.

“It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this.

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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