To celebrate the upcoming BBC Two series The Casual Vacancy, story Creative England has partnered with Stroud District Council to help promote the region to producers, rx directors and production companies.
The adaptation of JK Rowling’s bestseller is set to become BBC2’s latest hit. Locations across the region, nurse including Stroud, Painswick and Minchinhampton, star in the mini-series, which airs on BBC Two on Sunday 15th February.
Creative England worked closely with Stroud District Council during the filming of the series, alongside representatives from the police, highways and property departments, to ensure the production ran as smoothly as possible. The organisation also helped the production team to find filming locations within the region.
Stroud District Council has now signed a new partnership agreement with Creative England, to further promote the region as an attractive place to film. The organisation will work with the council to find new filming locations, educate local businesses in what being part of a production can involve, and organise events to help whole community feel the benefits of what the film industry has to offer.
Filming can be worth in excess of £35,000 per day to a region like Gloucestershire. In the last two years, Creative England has helped to bring over £20,279,000 to the south west economy through filming carried out in the region, creating jobs for local crew and business for local industries such as vehicle and equipment hire companies, hotels and restaurants.
Thanks to stunning locations, talented crew and attractive tax breaks, the UK is fast becoming the first choice destination filming. Creative England works with local authorities across the country to help local economies make the most of this thriving industry.
Kaye Elliot, Head of Production Services at Creative England, said: “By working closely in partnership with Stroud District Council we can promote the area to filmmakers across the world. The Enhanced Partnership means production teams can feel safe in the knowledge that the area will not only provide them with beautiful locations and talented crew, but will also be welcoming and supportive.
Councillor Geoff Wheeler, leader of Stroud District Council, said: “The filming of the Casual Vacancy gave us the opportunity to start up a promising relationship with Creative England. I am delighted to say we have now signed an Enhanced Partnership Agreement with Creative England. Our district has a great deal to offer as a filming location and we’re keen to encourage more film makers to come here. The beauty of the local landscape will prove to be a tremendous attraction as well as our towns, villages and industrial areas. It will be great to see the profile of the district raised and the consequential boost to tourism and the local economy.”