Business

Work starts to build major new Belfast film studio

An artist's impression of how the Belfast Harbour Studios will look once complete
An artist's impression of how the Belfast Harbour Studios will look once complete An artist's impression of how the Belfast Harbour Studios will look once complete

CONSTRUCTION work has started on a new £20 million film studio on Belfast's north foreshore.

Belfast Harbour Film Studio's at Giant's Park will feature 120,000 sq ft of studio space, workshops and offices.

The development by Belfast Harbour seeks to capitalise on Northern Ireland's growing reputation as a place to make films and television series.

Productions such as HBO's colossal Game of Thrones means "demand for studio space is now outstripping supply" the harbour said.

The new studio complex will provide two sound-proofed studios as part of an overall site that will also cater for outdoor filming.

The harbour will hope to replicate the success of Titanic Studios at the nearby Titanic quarter.

Harbour chief executive Roy Adair said: "Northern Ireland’s production industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years with major shows such as ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Fall’, and films such as ‘High Rise’, not only being produced in Northern Ireland, but within the harbour estate.

“In the past two years the industry has generated an estimated £137m of spend in the local economy. To keep pace with demand we identified the opportunity to develop new film studios.

“Belfast Harbour Studios will ensure that the local industry continues to attract new projects and develop significant job opportunities.”

Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen - which helped to design the studio - said it was "well known within the global screen industry that the demand for studio space currently outstrips supply in the UK".

"We are delighted that the proposed new sound stages on the north foreshore are going ahead and with our recent successful track record in attracting large-scale film and television production to Northern Ireland, we remain convinced that more screen production will be forthcoming once the infrastructure becomes available.”

Newry-based O’Hare & McGovern has been awarded the contract to build the complex which will support 200 construction jobs.

Work on the studios is expected to be completed late this year.