Latest news with #councilsale
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Council says deal to sell Bottle Yard Studios 'not possible'
Plans to sell a council-owned TV and film studio are on hold after the potential purchase of the site City Council voted to explore plans to sell the Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove in October a statement, the council has now confirmed that it has "not been possible to conclude an agreement" for the sale of the leasehold of the studios to an unknown buyer."This has been a necessarily lengthy process to ensure all possible factors are considered and that an extensive level of due diligence is carried out throughout," said councillor Tony Dyer, leader and chair of its strategy and resources committee. "We entered into this process with the objective of securing a sustainable future for the studios and the opportunity to grow into its huge potential," he added."Those aims remain the same, as does our determination to ensure that one of our city's most successful regeneration projects continues an upward trajectory to deliver more jobs and more investment for Bristol."The council said that the sale of the site had been under an exclusivity agreement to the preferred bidder for three time was to allow for "detailed negotiations and the drawing up of fuller proposals for the potential sale." Bottle Yard Studios is the largest film and TV facility in the West of England, with shows such as The Outlaws, Rivals and Boarders filmed potential sale had drawn criticism from a performing arts and entertainment trade union over concerns around job losses."Bristol's film and TV sector forms a critical part of our local economy, providing a catalyst for new jobs, new investment and bolstering our city's reputation at home and abroad," said councillor Ani Townsend, co-chair of the Bristol One City Culture Board."I can say with confidence that a key element of the growth seen in the sector over the past decade and a half has been the role played by The Bottle Yard Studios in providing a home for Bristol-based productions," she studios will continue to operate as normal but the council said it had not ruled out selling them in the future and that officers would "now assess the various options open to us".The film and TV industry was worth approximately £55m to the local economy in 2024, according to Bristol Film Office.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brackley school and Daventry industrial development up for sale
A former school and an industrial development are to be sold to generate income for a council. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) hopes the sales of the now closed Southfield Primary School, in Brackley, and the industrial site in Heartlands, Daventry, could generate income of about £500,000. Two public open spaces are due to be transferred to Crick Parish Council for £1 each, as it is felt they can be better managed by the community. It is also aiming to formalise its ownership of two pieces of land in Green Lane and Off the old A45, both in Northampton. Members of WNC approved the plans at a meeting on Wednesday. The change comes after the authority agreed to put the modern extension of Northampton's Guildhall up for sale. Southfield Primary School, which closed in July 2024 due to a shortfall in pupils, could be demolished and the land used for housing. Its existing theatre block will be kept, along with 50 car parking spaces for the community, to be used as a family hub, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. WNC said "extensive checks" were made to see if there was a viable educational use for the site, but none came forward. 'Delighted' Brackley Conservative councillor Fiona Baker said the closure of the school had been "pretty devastating". "The space can provide a permanent home for a 'spoke' of the family hub service, the much-loved youth club, a community larder, a stem school for Send students, along with other early health groups that currently lack a dedicated venue."Now is the time to invest in infrastructure for Brackley that supports the expanding community."Regarding the sale of the open spaces, Liberal Democrat councillor Rosie Humphreys said: "Cracks Hill is known and loved by everyone in Crick. "It's widely used by the villages and outdoor amenity for ramblers, dog walkers and families."The parish council has long wished to have ownership of this local landmark and will be delighted if the transfer process is approved."WNS said solidifying its title on the Northampton land would enable it to be better managed. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
