Berkshire set for trade and filmmaking boom
Chris Lunn • Feb 28, 2020

 The two dynamic Berkshire towns of Bracknell and Reading have been brought sharply into focus as the UK looks to new markets and business prospects now that it has ceased to be a member state of the European Union.

At a session of Prime Minister’s questions in January, before the departure date, Bracknell’s MP James Sutherland stated that the town was “the proud home of 150 internationally-focused companies” and asked what was being done to develop worldwide trade deals that would benefit his constituency and the UK.

In response, Boris Johnson said that: “From the 31st of this month, we will begin the process of negotiating free-trade agreements not just with the EU, but with friends and partners around the world so that Bracknell is at the epicentre of global free trade.”

Having carried out a range of commercial interior design and office fit-out projects in Bracknell over a number of years, Glenside believes that the town is well suited to being an international trading hub. It is ideally located close to the M4 corridor and is a centre for thriving and innovative businesses in IT and other leading-edge industries.

The same can be said of the neighbouring Thames Valley town of Reading, where again we have provided our services to businesses across a range of industry sectors. And now there are plans for an exceptionally exciting film industry development.

Massive film studio complex to be created

As reported recently in Screen Daily, the US Company Blackhall Studios is set to build a new film studio and digital creative hub complex at the Thames Valley Science Park near the University of Reading. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, this is the company’s first ever investment in the UK which in time will bring £500 million into this country’s economy and create up to 3,000 new jobs, including approximately 1,500 on the studio site.

Subject to planning permission being granted, Blackhall plans that the new studio will be responsible for large scale productions similar to those it creates in the USA. Once building is started, some of the facilities are expected to be completed as early as 2022.

Screen Daily also reports that Nick Smith, formerly executive commercial director at Pinewood-Shepperton plc, has been appointed as Blackhall Studios’ UK president and chief operating officer. He stressed the company’s vision for the future production, and added that: “The proposals support the UK government’s commitment to see this sector’s annual inward investment deliver £4bn by 2025. This initial investment of £150m into the UK economy will create a new powerhouse of creative production and educational achievement.” 

Exciting times lie ahead for both Bracknell and Reading, and we at Glenside look forward to carrying out projects to enhance commercial premises for the thriving businesses in these dynamic towns and throughout the vibrant Thames Valley region.

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