Watford looks set to become a hotspot for international blockbuster films after Warner Bros. outlined a £100 million plan to buy up Leavesden Studios this week.
Heads at the prestigious film production company are set to confirm plans to buy and renovate the former aerodrome site later this week, that has previously been used to film The Dark Knight, Inception and the Harry Potter films amongst others.
The newly renovated studios will open in 2012 and become Warner Bros. major UK production base, creating over 1,800 new jobs within the local area.
The plans for the revamped studios also include a massive tourist attraction that will allow visitors to tour film sets and see behind the scenes of a real film studio.
Estimated to attract around 6,000 tourists a year, the studio will see an influx of new visitors to Watford and the surrounding areas, helping boost local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and transport firms.
MP Richard Harrington explained the benefits the plans could bring to Watford: “This is absolutely excellent news for Watford. I have met with Warner Bros. many times and have been very interested about these plans. This is not just good news for Watford but good news for the UK film industry as a whole."
“They are also a very responsible company that wants to play a full and active role in the local community; helping local charities and joining the local chamber of commerce as well. I am delighted about this and delighted about the jobs it will create.”
