A major film studio should be built in Scotland, the nation's economic development agency, which has examined more than 600 potential sites across the country, has said.
Scottish Enterprise (SE), which has commissioned a crucial report into the business case for a studio, has concluded that Scotland needs more than one film soundstage, and if it is economically feasible, it should be built in the central belt.
The team researching the report have studied dozens of sites across Scotland, both on vacant sites apt for a "new build" and warehouses and buildings that can be revamped as studios, and have studied successful multi-soundstage studios across the UK and Europe.
David Jack, the project manager at SE, who is leading the compilation of the report, which is being prepared by Ekos consultants for the Film Studio Delivery Group established by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, said that it is clear Scotland's film and TV industry requires a substantial facility in or near Glasgow.
He acknowledged that the feasibility study may conclude a workable film studio is not possible in Scotland, but said at this stage SE "want it to happen."
Mr Jack said: "They have looked at over 600 potential locations.
"It's been very extensive work, but in the analysis, it strongly, strongly, recognises that [the studio] should be in the central belt area, for two main reasons: the critical international transport networks, and secondly, the skills base which is based there.
"We are looking at the commercial viability of the studio, and what public sector investment will be required to make it happen."
Mr Jack said there was a possibility studio soundstages could be built in several phases on one site, as "demand increases", or on individual soundstages on separate sites in Scotland.
However, the final report, he said, would not prescribe a location or specific private or public company to set up and run a studio.
Instead it would outline financial models for a studio, and Scottish Enterprise would invite private businesses to collaborate on the venture.
"We want it to happen," Mr Jack acknowledged.
David Smith, director of creative industries at SE, said: "We are coming at this from the perspective that we very much want this to happen, from the perspective that the market dynamics have changed [because of new UK tax breaks for high end TV series].
"But we also have to sound a note of caution that until we have gone through all the modelling, and looked at what is right and optimal for the industry here in Scotland, and what addresses the economic opportunity, we are not yet at the point to say what it will look like."
Film City Glasgow is keen for any studio to be built in Govan, close to its current premises in Govan Town Hall.
Mr Jack said: "We need a minimum of two soundstages."
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