Swan Hunter's shipyard now a film set
IT was once the scene of welding and sandblasting as ships set sail out of the River Tyne.
But now films are being made at Swan Hunter's shipyard, as the 40-acre site benefits from the local authority signing a filming agreement.
North Tyneside Council added its name to The Northern Film and Media's
Filming Friendly Charter around two years ago.
And since then, the borough has established itself as a one-stop-shop filming location – playing home to many high profile films and TV
programmes.
Last year North Tyneside Council bought the Swan Hunter site in a joint venture with regional development agency One North East, to unlock the successful future development of a 600-hectare site along the river corridor.
And now, as part of those plans, several productions are presently using the former shipyard as their base – breathing new life into the area.
ITV drama 'Joe Maddison's War', starring Kevin Whately and Robson Green, is currently being filmed at the site, as well as other locations throughout the borough.
The two-hour programme follows the experiences of a ship repair worker and his family in 1940s wartime Tyneside.
The yard has also been used in the movie Flutter starring Hollywood actor Billy Zane and comedian Ricky Tomlinson, as well as ITV drama Vera, a murder mystery with international award-winning actress Brenda Blethyn.
Coun Jon Jo MacNamara, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The Swan Hunter site is at the centre to the regeneration of the entire North Bank of the Tyne.
"The former shipyard played an incredibly significant role in the history of industrial development in the north east, but now we are delighted that it has been transformed into an ideal location for creating commercial, film and TV productions.
"The Filming Friendly work has taken off in the last couple of years, and it's continuing to go from strength to strength.
"Regeneration is about creating new business opportunities, as well as physical opportunities, and I'm confident that the extensive filming work will help further raise the profile of North Tyneside as a tourism destination and boost the economy of the area."
'Ways To Live Forever' – a 2m Robson Green production – starring Greta Scacchi and Ben Chaplin, was also recently filmed in North Tyneside.
As well as the borough's industrial landscapes, its long stretch of coastline, roman ruins and traditional town centres, has provided production companies with endless options for filming.
North Tyneside Council supports production companies throughout their projects – from choosing locations to arranging a base and accommodation.
The Swan Hunter shipyard, which was used for shipbuilding for more than 140 years, also provides companies with an administrative production base, utilising the on site office space, accommodation block and other additional facilities.
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Thursday 24 May 2012
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