Ashford International Studios

Ashford International Studios is a proposed multi-media commercial and residential site in Newtown, a suburb of Ashford, Kent, in England, on the site of the former Ashford railway works, adjacent to Ashford International station.

Proposed entrance to the site in Newtown

History

The project was created after the site of the railway works had lain dormant for over 30 years, and following a report by the British Film Institute that the film industry requires 10,000 further employees in the next five years, along with around two million square feet (190,000 m2) of additional space.[1] The town council has said that although on-location filming is popular in Kent, citing films such as Avengers: Age of Ultron and Into The Woods, there are no appropriate local production facilities.[2]

The site covers 500,000 square feet (46,000 m2) and includes five Grade II listed buildings, and is a joint scheme between Ashford Borough Council and the privately funded Quinn Estates. Plans were first approved by the council in April 2020.[3] The existing listed buildings on site, including the railway sheds, will be developed around and incorporated into the final design.[1] As of June 2022, the site is 65% funded by the council.[4] Facilities include a hotel, 300 apartments, a restaurant and a multi-story car park. Netflix, Amazon and HBO have all expressed interest in operating on the site.[5] The project has been approved by local Member of Parliament Damian Green.[6]

The studios were originally planned to open in 2022, but progress was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Quinn Estates hoped work could be completed by 2023.[7] The project was boosted in October 2022 by a £14.7 million boost from the government's Levelling Up Fund.[8] In March 2023, the council agreed to a £50m loan to secure funding for development.[9] Around £400,000 has been funded for improvements in road access to the site, including the nearby A2070 road.[10] Preliminary enabling and infrastructure works began to take place in 2023.[6] Full construction is expected to begin in August, and the studios to open in July 2025.[5]

References
  1. "Multi million pound 'Netflix" film studio development in Ashford takes major step forward". ITV News. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  2. Newtown Works Film Studios Background Information and Detail of Operations (PDF). Ashford Town Council (Report). Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  3. "£14.7m allocated to Ashford film studio from UK government's levelling up fund". Screen Daily. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  4. "Netflix-linked film studios at former Newtown railway works receives investment from Ashford Borough Council". Kent Online. 30 June 2022.
  5. "'Netflix' film studios in Newtown, Ashford, set to open in 2025". Kent Online. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  6. "Significant progress on Ashford International Studios project". Insider Media. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  7. "Ashford film studios linked to Netflix, Amazon and HBO delayed until 2023". Kent Online. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  8. "Over £14.7 million allocation for new film studios in Ashford". HM Government. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  9. "£250m Netflix, Amazon and HBO film studio in Ashford gets the green light". Kent Line. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  10. "Ashford Borough Council to loan £50m for 'Netflix' film studios in Newtown, Ashford". Kent Online. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
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