Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

US firm to invest £150 million to build UK's largest film studio

ATLANTA, US-based firm Blackhall Studios would invest £150 million to build a state-of-the-art film studio in Reading, UK, their first outside of the US.

The investment is expected to create 3,000 jobs in the local area.


Upon completion, it will be the largest film studios in the UK and will contribute £500 million to the UK economy per year.

"We are excited to be establishing a base in the UK. Blackhall is the global standard for entertainment production space and our US-based clients like Disney, Universal and Sony are all asking us to expand into the UK to meet their desire to create productions here," said Ryan Millsap, Chairman and CEO of Blackhall.

"The UK has a wealth of talent that our UK companies recognise and want to partner with for decades to come."

The new studio is expected to be built at the Thames Valley Science Park, which is owned by the University of Reading.

Warner Bros, Sony and HBO have all filmed productions in Blackhall’s US studio. The prominent films are Venom, Jumanji: The Next Level and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

"The UK and the US are each other’s largest investors, and this announcement demonstrates the strength of our trading relationship, which benefits all sectors and regions in the UK," said Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss MP.

"I look forward to negotiating and signing a new ambitious free trade agreement with the US, to ensure we can continue to deepen our trading relationship and grow our creative industries."

More For You

London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

iStock

London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

Kumail Jaffer

Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

Keep ReadingShow less