Scheme will be built at former factory in Dagenham
A London council is pressing on with plans to build a new film studio despite its original preferred bidder pulling out because of Brexit.
Pacifica Ventures, the Los Angeles-based studio behind the hit TV series Breaking Bad, was made preferred bidder for the Made in Dagenham studios site last year.
In a statement, it said: 鈥淲e have been forced to put the project on hold until the Brexit uncertainty has been resolved.
鈥淲e understand the council wants to move forward more quickly and they have our blessing if a third party should offer an alternative proposal. We hope that won鈥檛 be the case and that we鈥檒l be able to re-start the project very soon.鈥�
But according to Barking and Dagenham council鈥檚 website, the firm failed to 鈥減rogress matters sufficiently鈥� and has lost its preferred bidder status.
Last night councillors green lit proposals to keep the 拢110m scheme, which is being masterminded by the authority鈥檚 regeneration company Be First, on track. This will see more than 拢3m pledged to cover any pre-development costs.
Be First said it was now looking to talk to potential operators, investors and joint venture partners about the studios (pictured).
Council leader Daren Rodwell said: 鈥淲e could build them ourselves or we can work with any of the dynamic media companies who share our vision of making movies.鈥�
The firm is hoping to submit plans for what would be the first film studios in the capital in more than 20 years in the new year.
It will be built at a 20 acre plot opposite Dagenham East train station at a site previously occupied by French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi.
The Made in Dagenham studios will eventually include 12 sound stages, training facilities, amusement attractions, shops and restaurants.
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