Leith lined up for world class movie studio

Screen Scotland wants to transform a giant blue warehouse which has been empty for years.

Author: Max SteelePublished 7th Dec 2018
Last updated 7th Dec 2018

A huge derelict warehouse in Port of Leith has been earmarked for one of the UK's biggest film and TV studios.

Screen Scotland has launched an international search for a private developers to lease, refurbish and operate a permanent "world-class" production base on Bath Road.

It is hoped the development will cash in on a boom in production largely driven by the likes of Netflix and Amazon.

The building was used during production of Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War but has been derelict for most of the last four years after the wave power firm, Pelamis went bust.

The 160,000 sq ft space has room for five sound stages up to 100ft tall as well as 27,000 sq ft of flexible workshop, production and office space.

There is also plenty of space for large sets to be built.

Isabel Davis, executive director of Screen Scotland, said: "The enormous potential of 31 Bath Road was demonstrated when it hosted Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War last year.

"Its scale, accessibility, proximity to crew and central Edinburgh and its ability to be rapidly adapted make it a highly attractive proposition and one that could swiftly provide a home in Scotland for large scale productions."

The chosen location is situated on a private gated 8.6 acre site within the port estate and is owned by Forth Ports Limited who will lease it to Screen Scotland.

The deadline for tenders to be submitted is noon on February 1 2019.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "The Scottish Government is focused on strengthening our screen sector.

"We have significantly increased our funding for screen this year and supported the launch of Screen Scotland, which brings together public sector support for the industry."

The name of the successful operator will be announced in spring 2019