Film industry giants have snapped up Scotland’s biggest studio complex - where the hit TV show Outlander is made.
Wardpark Studios, in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, has joined the growing studio portfolio being amassed by a film industry consortium.
It announced plans to create London’s biggest film and TV studio last year and has just two acquired Ireland’s two biggest studios.
The deal for Wardpark involves the California-based property group Hackman Capital Partners, its studio operator affiliate, the MBS Group, and New York-based investment house Square Mile Capital Partners.
Wardpark has been transformed under property developer Terry Thomson, who agreed a deal for the former warehouse complex to become home to Outlander in 2013.
The complex boasts more than 200,000 sq ft of studio space across a 14-acre campus, five sound stages, production offices, workshops and an external green screen.
The success of the Outlander, renewed for a seventh season, has been instrumental in the development of further studio facilties in Bathgate, Leith and Glasgow.
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Michael Hackman, founder of Hackman Capital Partners, said: “We’re thrilled to be adding Wardpark to our distinguished portfolio and excited to be entering the Scottish production market.
“Wardpark has been a strong catalyst for growth in the country’s creative sector and Scotland has become an important filming destination for international content creators, thanks in part to its lush landscape and scenery and competitive tax credits, as well as its top talent pool.”
Square Mile capital chief executive Craig Soloman said: “This acquisition of Wardpark Studios will prove to be a great addition to our partnership’s ownership and operating platform of world-class studio properties.
“We look forward to participating in, and contributing to the further growth of the Scottish entertainment industry, as the global demand for high-quality film and TV content shows no sign of slowing.”
Mr Thomson, chairman of Wardpark Studios, said: “Scotland has a long history as a location for filmmaking, and this announcement cements my ambition to further establish Scotland as one of the major global hubs for the production of film and high-end TV drama.
"The demand is unstoppable, but we have to compete in a global market to attract inward productions, and bringing HCP and MBS on board is the first step in the further growth of the industry in Scotland.”
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Scottish culture secretary Angus Robertson said: “Wardpark Film and Television Studios play an important role in our vibrant and fast-growing screen industry, and Hackman Capital Partners and The MBS Group will further promote this first-class production facility to the international market.
“Scotland’s studios, including Wardpark, offer excellent training and apprenticeship opportunities to the many young people who are attracted to careers in production.
"We’re committed to developing our screen infrastructure to capitalise on the unprecedented interest in bringing international productions to Scotland and to grow a sustainable creative economy.”
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