OPENING a new film studio will bring back filmmakers the city is "losing" to other major UK cities, the leader of Glasgow city council has said.

"They are often forced out of Glasgow because we don't have the studio space so we lose them to Manchester or London," Susan Aitken told Good Morning Scotland. 

She said the new planned studio, expected to be approved by councillors, in Kelvin Hall will allow the city's film industry to grow. 

READ MORE: Two alleged human traffickers snared after Glasgow Times reader tipped off cops

And the former home of the Transport Museum is the "perfect" place to host a new scene studio, she added. 

Ms Aitken said: " It's absolutely enormous and even though there's been a lot of fantastic redevelopment in recent years, there's still a lot of space available.

"The facility is really lacking in Glasgow and Scotland to allow the screen industry to grow. 

"It will appeal to creative industries across Scotland and the independent production community in Glasgow, which is especially vibrant. 

"They are often forced out of Glasgow because we don't have the studio space so we lose them to Manchester or London. 

"It is the size and scale of this that is the difference."

She teased the programme's presenter with a well-known productions company which has already expressed interest in using the studio.  

READ MORE: Fury after East End man, 92, left in the dark about Covid jag despite health chiefs' vow

"I can't say who because it's commercially sensitive and confidential but you will know them when we can say."

Defending the project's massive £12 million budget, the SNP councillor said the council would make back the money it plans to borrow in renting the space out. 

She added: "The Scottish Government is providing 7.9m and the council is borrowing £4.9m 

"We'll remain the owners so the rental will repay the borrowing - it's very low risk."