Local TV industry set for business support boost
LEP launches a marketing campaign to promote business support to local businesses operating in the screen industries.
30 May 2019
Today (Wednesday 29th May) the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is launching a campaign called ‘Let’s talk production’. The marketing drive will promote business support available through the LEP to TV production companies and the wider supply chain.
This forms part of the LEP’s commitment to supporting the growth of the region’s screen industries following Channel 4’s decision to base its National HQ in the region.
The campaign launch coincides with the ‘Channel 4 Leeds Business Supercharger’ event today at the Studios, Whitehall Riverside. Independent TV production companies, based both within and outside of the region have been invited to learn more about the Channel 4 Growth Fund and wider business support.
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the LEP and the NP11 said:
“There is wide range of government-backed support, and there is a perception that it’s complicated to access. That’s why we’re launching our campaign ‘Let’s talk TV production’. The easiest way to find out what is relevant to your business is to talk to our team. This saves time as you can discuss the criteria and what you could be eligible for. We’ve already helped Leeds-based indie True North to invest in new post-production suites.”
Deborah Dunnett, Channel 4’s Nations and Regions Manager said:
“It’s great to be in Leeds today to promote the support available through Channel 4 and our partners. We want businesses that we work with to take advantage of the initiatives available to them and know how to access them - the LEP offers a gateway to do this.”
Sally Joynson, Chief Executive of Screen Yorkshire said:
‘’We’ve already seen significant growth in our screen sector and it’s great to see extra, tailored support now being made available to help indies grow further. Grants towards the cost of training new staff, or buying new digital equipment, will be particularly welcomed by the sector.’’
From April 2018 to the present day, the LEP and its network of partners has invested in businesses through the approval of 856 grants. The support available is aimed at scale ups and expanding businesses and helps companies develop new products and services, make capital investments, create jobs, cut costs through resource efficiency, invest in digital infrastructure and recruit apprentices.
This comes at a time of significant growth for the sector. Screen Yorkshire has released figures that reveal that the growth of Yorkshire & Humber’s film and TV industries has outstripped that of every other part of the UK, including London and the South East. The figures show that between 2009-2015, Yorkshire’s film and TV Industries generated an annual turnover of £424million across 590 creative businesses (an increase of 247 per cent against the UK average of 118 per cent) with Gross Value Added (GVA) increasing 242 per cent in comparison to a UK average growth of 12 per cent.
To find out more contact 0113 348 1818 or email businessgrowth@the-LEP.com
Part funded by the European Union - England European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions are the managing authorities for European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund funding through the Growth Programme, funds established by the European Union to help local areas stimulate their economic development. By investing in projects the funds will help to support innovation, businesses, skills and employment to improve local growth and create jobs.