The creative community in south-east London is set to receive a boost with news from Indie-Zero Film Studios that planning permission has been granted by the Royal Borough of Greenwich for repurposing its current 3-acre site to create a zero emission, state-of-the-art film studio hub. The 4000 sq.ft. Studio E is already complete and available for dry hire, and comprises 56Db sound proofing, 20,000 Kg grid at 27ft min height, 85ft x 45 ft clear studio space, drive-on access, green room, production offices, on-site art department and set construction services provided by helix3d.co.uk/ as well as 80 parking spaces.
Indie-Zero Founder and CEO, Brian Dowling says, “With the current skills shortage and the need for sound stage studio space, Indie-Zero’s plans tackle both of these issues simultaneously. Also, being in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, we are hard wired into the longest established Film Office in London and on the doorstep of some most recognisable film locations in the world.”
Dowling is keen to stress his desire to nurture the next generation of creative filmmaking talent, particularly in under-represented communities in this part of London and to boost the local economy. The studio is registered as a London Living Wage employer.
Dowling added: “I want Indie-Zero to be a globally significant but community-focussed screen industries production hub providing future generations with a career kickstart. Our aim is to establish a world-class, one-stop shop here in SE28 which is now 20 minutes from Soho via the new Elizabeth Line, as well as other burgeoning creative hubs to the east of London.”
Screen-based businesses that have already signed up for space at Indie-Zero include film production and editing companies, a creative production agency and a film medical services outfit and the site can still accommodate another dozen companies prior to full expansion: “This initial uptake provides a commercial foundation for phase 2 of our expansion and demonstrates that these companies see the benefit of the creative cluster we’re establishing and will help spread the message to the wider creative community in south and south east London” added Dowling.
Financing for the now completed phase one was structured by real estate capital advisory service LEXI Finance and the loan is part of a phased programme with an end-value studio complex valued at £40m.
