10/06/2026
Me at a meeting about the film industry in Leeds last month. All of the people around the table (apart from me) are very much linked to the industry. I am working on bringing the film industry to Derbyshire in a serious way, and the feedback I am getting is that they are pretty keen to come. The issue for them is a basic lack of a fixed workplace and a supply network. So to do more than just the odd film or one-off programme, in other words, to be able to work here every day and churn out lots of content, the film industry needs what is grandly described as a film studio as a base. This turns out to be not much more than, say, half a dozen buildings on an industrial estate. Yes, they need to be soundproofed, and have a few extra features... but they are basically the sheds you see anywhere and everywhere. In terms of a supply network, this is a series of smaller businesses that can supply the stuff they need, and access to a talent pool of eager staff. I have started a small committee to investigate these two issues to see how viable they are. I am pleased to say that providing a few buildings looks very possible. In terms of a supply chain, the colleges and Universities of our region are bursting with talent. So it looks very possible. The benefits to us would be massive. This industry can create lots of jobs very quickly. One major film can employ 2,000 people for a year. Then there is the ripple effect of money through any supply network. Then there are the job opportunities for graduates and apprentices. Then there is the positive side of filming in our beautiful region and putting us on the map, which massively increases the likelihood that people who do not live in the region will want to live, work, and invest here. Finally, there is the ongoing tourism, which can last for decades. Chatsworth House's biggest overseas visitors do not come from the USA or a European country... the single biggest number of overseas visitors come from China... by the coachload. Why? It turns out that watching the film Pride and Prejudice is part of the Chinese education curriculum. They are forced to watch it at school! Presumably as part of their English education lessons. So coachloads of Chinese can appear without warning at Chatsworth, with a lot of people asking where Darcy is and so on. That film was probably twenty years ago now. But it continues to bring significant money into the region. So, bringing the film industry here would be 100% positive, all upside, no negatives. That meeting was very informative, and I made some good contacts at the UKREiiF. I have the support of a couple of film producers and some great support from local businesses. The County have appointed an officer to the steering group as has the Mayors office. Derby University has appointed someone to liaise and we have the both the East midlands film office and the National Film office both around the table. Even the Chatsworth team have appointed one of their staff to help advise. The need is there and the enthusiasm is there. Hopefully we can make this work.
