Northumberland has signed the Filming Friendly Charter in partnership with North East Screen to encourage more productions to head to the region.
“Filming opportunities are so important for Northumberland due to the everlasting impact that filming locations have on tourism and encouraging visitors to explore new destinations after seeing them on the screen,” said Andrew Fox, Chair of Visit Northumberland.
“In 2021 alone, economic investment to the county from productions filmed in Northumberland amounted to almost £10 million on crew and technical staff, cast and extras, hotels, catering and many other services, which is equivalent to £27,200 per day.
“Northumberland couldn’t be more suited to the screen, with outstanding scenery to offer an incredible backdrop for any film or series and historical buildings that can be adapted for all genres. With its track record of fantasy fiction, historical and modern epics and TV series, there are endless filming opportunities in a county as diverse as Northumberland.”
The region has been used as a backdrop for numerous film and television productions over the years, with Alnwick Castle taking a leading role in Harry Potter as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sycamore Gap became “The Robin Hood Tree” after appearing in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and more recently it’s featured in Vera and Indiana Jones.
By signing the charter, Northumberland commits to working in partnership with North East Screen to make the North East a filming friendly region. This recognises the positive economic and cultural benefits hosting filming activity has on Northumberland.
“This county is very much open for business and this charter cements our commitment as a filming friendly destination,” added Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson.
“We’ve a long history of welcoming productions of all sizes, from small independent film-makers through to regional and national television and huge blockbuster movies. Northumberland is a unique place – full of history, castles, wide open spaces, golden beaches, hills and mountains and above all very friendly people – what a backdrop for any work of art!”
Next month, Visit Northumberland will promote the region alongside North East Screen and other regional destinations at Focus Film, an annual showcase of filming destinations to the film and production industry.
“We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this,” said Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen.
“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.
“We are delighted that Northumberland has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the county.”
