The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, where The Outlaws was filmed, set for sale to boost film production

Based in Hengrove, The Bottle Yard Studios is the largest dedicated film and TV studio in the West of England and the only local authority managed studio in the country.

The facilities are a cornerstone of Bristol’s UNESCO City of Film designation. Film and High End TV production at the facilities and on location in Bristol generate more that £20m per year to Bristol’s economy, according to the latest figures from Bristol Film Office.

The Outlaws, The Wasp, Boarders, Becoming Elizabeth, Tipping Point, Hellboy and Sherlock: The Abominable Bride are among the productions recorded at The Bottle Yard Studios.

Councillors at the meeting voted six to three in favour of retaining the freehold of the site but negotiating a deal with a preferred bidder for the long leasehold interest.

The final decision on the sale will be considered by the committee at a later date.

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Chair of the Strategy and Resources policy committee, said: “The discussion we’ve had with officers and my fellow committee members has identified that despite the studios’ success, the current ownership model means it has hit a glass ceiling.

“It’s clear that by unlocking the potential of private investment, that potential has a greater chance of being realised and the opportunity for more jobs, economic returns for the city, and bigger and larger Bristol productions appearing on our screens.”

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Councillor Dyer continued: “We’re taking this approach in the full knowledge that as a regeneration project at its heart, the studios have achieved success beyond our initial ambitions. Like all regeneration projects, a time will always come when it’s sensible for the local authority to seek options for enabling further growth to expand the benefits available to the city.

“The Bottle Yard Studios has hit that point and I’m pleased fellow councillors have agreed the time is right to start the process of sale. Our initial market testing is very positive and we’re confident in securing an agreement with a purchaser that benefits the studios, the sector and the city.”

Laura Aviles, Bristol City Council's Head of Film who oversees the Studios, said: “For the operational team at the Studios and the productions, business tenants, crew and companies we support on site every day, it will be ‘business as usual’ throughout this process.

“With a strong booking slate stretching into 2025/26, we are committed to ensuring The Bottle Yard continues to deliver for the region’s film industry as a thriving studio hub, to the benefit of local creative industry professionals working in the wide range of roles associated with film and TV production."

However, not everyone has bee pleased by the decision.

Prior to the meeting, Rachel Fagan, Bristol-based actress and Equity South West Councillor (elected member serving on the union’s governing body) commented: “Bristol prides itself as a designated UNESCO City of Film, but that status – and the importance of job creation for local and wider British productions is not being considered. This is a culturally important local asset that the Council chose to buy and invest in.

“The current course of action feels like a fire sale and one that would rob Bristol of a valued asset of both cultural and economic significance. It’s a decision that affects thousands of our workers and it impacts jobs in the city so we’re asking Councillors to pause and ensure all options are considered to protect jobs and the wider cultural sector.”