The City of London Corporation hopes to capitalise on Britain’s “booming” film industry by touting its iconic landmarks to location scouts.
Killing Eve (shot at City Social in lead image), James Bond and Bridget Jones have all used settings in the Square Mile, including the Barbican Estate and Tower Bridge.
Now the City Corporation is drawing up plans to hire a film location agency to promote itself to TV and film producers with the hope of generating over £500,000 of extra income per year.
While Notting Hill and the Houses of Parliament may be the first places that spring to mind, a report lists 27 past and potential new locations.
Mansion House, the Old Bailey, Monument and Spitalfields Market were all named as would-be sites. Hampstead Heath, Billingsgate Market, Highgate Woods and Epping Forest – all located outside central London but managed by the City – were also suggested.
The report says: “The UK film industry is booming… Inward investment films generated approximately £1.25billion in 2017, the highest figure since records began.
“We propose that the 27 buildings and open spaces that are suitable for filming would be promoted using a reputable and established location agency that would liaise directly with the local staff at each location.”
But it says “opportunities are missed” to attract film crews, because the City is not registered with any professional location agencies whom film producers often turn to for advice.
