New film studio planned for the Isle of Wight

By Stephen Emerson

15 November 2022

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The proposed Isle of Wight film studios

A new film studio is set to built on the Isle of Wight after the island's council agreed to sell off land to the project's backers.

Medina Studios Ltd will construct the complex on the banks of the Medina River in East Cowes, after it was recommended at an Isle of Wight cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The facility will be made up four sounds stages totalling 70,000 sq ft, along with all production support space including workshops and office facilities.

It will be based at the former Kingston Marine Park, which has been vacant for more than 10 years.

The men behind the plan are Duncan Heath (co-chairman of Independent Talent Group), David Godfrey (former director of international operations of the Pinewood Group) and Neil Blewett (managing director of Datasat Media).

Duncan Heath, speaking on behalf of Media Studios, said: "I've been in this business a long time and been lucky enough to be involved with some of the largest feature and television productions.

"But I have to say this is one of the most exciting projects I've ever been involved with".

According to the cabinet report the council purchased the site in 2018 in order to "secure a major employment development site for the benefit of the island".

The report said the "positive effects of the proposals" would "ripple across all areas of the island, offering wide-ranging island business opportunities, as well as direct employment on site and on location".

CAPTION: The proposed Isle of Wight film studios, Credit: Isle of Wight Council

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.