Save Twickenham Studios

Equity has expressed dismay at the news that Twickenham Film Studios, which has a long and illustrious history in the UK film industry, is to be closed and potentially demolished with the site redeveloped into property and office space.

The studio has recently hosted Oscar-nominated films War Horse, The Iron Lady and My Week with Marilyn. Losing studio space at a time when the film industry is contributing enormous sums to the economy would appear to be extremely short-sighted. To lose this studio space when the industry is successfully attracting inward investment is dangerous to the continued wellbeing of the UK film industry.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has refused to step in saying that the government has no remit to intervene.

Equity is encouraging all members to sign a petition against the closure. The petition reads; "We have no time to waste! Twickenham Film studios has gone into administration and word has it that property developers are moving in. Please sign our petition to help stop the developers in their tracks!! We don't need more executive homes! Twickenham has been at the forefront of the British film industry for 99 years - let's help it make to 100 and beyond. Spread the word.... Re-tweet and post on your Facebook. We need to get this out to as many people as possible. Films like The Iron Lady, War Horse, Ghandi, Italian Job, Shirley Valentine, Help, Hard Day's Night, An American Werewolf in London and many many more have been made here. It's a National Treasure!"

Please sign the petition.                                                                                                       Picture courtesy of twickerati

HOW THE MEDIA REPORTED THIS

TWICKENHAM FILM STUDIOS TO CLOSE
GUARDIAN
Credits roll for studios used for Repulsion, Blade Runner and Beatles films as owners sell up following financial losses
www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/feb/21/twickenham-film-studios-close?newsfeed=true
 
JEREMY HUNT REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION ON TWICKENHAM FILM STUDIOS SELL-OFF
GUARDIAN
The campaign to save Twickenham Film Studios has taken a severe knock after Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, refused to intervene in the planned sell-off of the site.
www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/07/jeremy-hunt-twickenham-film-studios
 
INDUSTRY MOBILISES SUPPORT FOR TWICKENHAM STUDIOS AS TAYLOR WIMPEY IN TALKS FOR REDEVELOPMENT
SCREEN INTERNATIONAL
EXCLUSIVE: Spielberg, Cronenberg, Daldry among petition signatories; homebuilder Taylor Wimpey in discussions for site redevelopment; Business Secretary and MP for Twickenham Vince Cable contacted by constituents.
www.screendaily.com/news/uk-ireland/industry-mobilises-support-for-twickenham-studios-as-developer-taylor-wimpey-in-talks-for-redevelopment/5038682.article
 
INDUSTRY MOBILISES SUPPORT FOR TWICKENHAM STUDIOS
BROADCAST
Industry concern over the potential demolition and redevelopment of Twickenham Studios is growing.
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/technology/industry-mobilises-support-for-twickenham-studios/5038804.article
 
LONDON’S TWICKENHAM FILM STUDIO FACES
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
LONDON – Twickenham Studios, the location where iconic movies like Alfie, The Italian Job and the Beatles classic A Hard Days Night were filmed in the sixties, is to be sold off to property developers, it emerged Monday.
www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/london-s-twickenham-film-studio-292787
 
CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED AS DEVELOPER MAKES PLANS FOR TWICKENHAM STUDIOS
RICHMOND AND TWICKENHAM TIMES
Film industry experts’ and residents’ fears have been confirmed this week, as it emerged a property developer plans to redevelop Twickenham Studios.
www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/9566859.Campaigns_launched_as_developer_makes_plans_for_Twickenham_Studios/
 
TWICKENHAM STUDIOS SET TO CLOSE: DEBTS MOUNT AT HISTORIC LONDON SITE
CHICAGO TRIBUTE
LONDON -- London's historic Twickenham Film Studios is set to close just one year short of its centenary, after the loss-making facility went into administration, the U.K. equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-201202211307reedbusivarietynvr1118050527feb21,0,4097507.story
 
INDUSTRY FIGHTS TO SAVE TWICKENHAM STUDIOS
4RFV
The British film industry will lose an illustrious member later this year when production ceases at one of the UK’s oldest film businesses and it seems the industry is not ready to let go.
www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=140900
 
COULD COLIN FIRTH SAVE TWICKENHAM STUDIOS FROM DEVELOPERS?
ART LYST
War Horse Film Studio petition signed by Steven Spielberg, David Cronenberg and Terry Jones as momentum gathers pace.
www.artlyst.com/articles/could-colin-firth-save-twickenham-studios-from-developers

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