County aims to build on Potter

Mar 12 2008 by Liz Hands, The Journal

HARRY Potter, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Elizabeth and Ivanhoe have already been shot in Northumberland.

But now more blockbusters could be on their way to the county after Alnwick District Council signed up to a venture which aims to attract more film crews to the region.

The council yesterday joined up for Northern Film and Media’s (NFM) Filming Friendly Partnership Charter – the regional screen agency’s key strategy for bringing more film and TV to the North East.

Alnwick is the first council in Northumberland to get on board, and the 11th of the region’s 25 local authorities.

The charter aims to build on the success of North East movie Atonement, filmed in Redcar, which won two Golden Globes, a record 14 Bafta nominations and seven Oscar nominations.

Tom Harvey, NFM chief executive, said: “Atonement has proved that the North East can handle the biggest and the best film productions in the world.

“The region already has the world class locations, but we need to make it quicker, easier and cheaper – more attractive – for production companies to shoot here.

“The Filming Friendly Partnership aims to do just this. The signature of Alnwick District Council today could be a great step towards more film and TV production here.”

According to NFM, £7m is brought into the region every year by production companies. This translates to £20,000 a day spent in restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Gary Campbell, the council’s cultural and tourism development officer, said: “Filming in the area, whether it be for a TV commercial or a Hollywood blockbuster, brings with it the type of publicity that no amount of money can buy. There are great spin-offs throughout the local tourism industry and the economy, as history has proved. The signing of this charter shows the council’s commitment to do what we can, within our powers to encourage and welcome film crews to the district.”

Resulting publicity from the district’s previous film escapades generated millions of pounds for the local economy and worldwide interest in the area. Following the shooting of Harry Potter movies in Alnwick, it was reported that Alnwick Castle enjoyed a 120% increase in visitors, bringing an extra £9m in to the economy.

In past years when the Antiques Road Show was filmed at the castle and when the Alnwick Garden featured on TV, the council was inundated with requests for holiday brochures and there were thousands more hits on its website.