The Stage

North West Vision’s £1m cash boost for Manchester media

Published Thursday 23 June 2005 at 10:40 by Liz Thomas

Independent television and film production in and around Manchester is to receive £1 million from government-funded regional development agency North West Vision.

The money will be used to attract more broadcasters to the north-west and raise the area’s profile as a serious alternative to London for producing quality programmes - particularly drama, comedy and entertainment. It is hoped the extra funding will help create hundreds more jobs in the local media industry and provide a comprehensive training ground that will help to retain new talent in the region.

The area has become increasingly popular with indies hoping to capitalise on plans by the Corporation to increase its programme commissions out of London. In the past year Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow Productions, Objective Productions and Hat Trick have all announced they are opening offices in Manchester.

Alice Morrison, chief executive of North West Vision, said: “Our mission is to champion the TV and film industry and we have proved that an investment in production is an investment in the region as a whole. The north-west is one of the finest filming locations in the UK.”

The BBC has also announced its commitment to regional production with a £500,000 fund for programme-makers outside the M25. The Corporation has named 11 companies that will benefit from a share of the money, fast-track access to key commissioners and regular meetings to discuss and drive forward ideas for new shows.

BBC independent executive Elaine Bedell said: “This year, particularly, we wanted to invest in companies already based - or opening up - in our key creative clusters. We’re also determined to increase network commissioning from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as the north of England.”

The Corporation has also financed a training course for series producers due to start in Glasgow in October and it has set up a travel bursary scheme for specially selected companies who are asked to travel to London to meet commissioners to discuss new shows.