£13m film studios plan proposed for former factory site

A film production company has approached Derby City Council about turning a former factory in the city into a £13 million studio and stunt training facility.

MARV Studios, which is behind such films as Kingsman, Stardust and Rocketman, wants to create the state-of-the-art facility at the former Aida Bliss factory, in Chester Green.

It would be purpose-built and include a film studio, a fitness and rehabilitation centre, including a publicly accessible gym and sports facility, along with Europe’s first ever dedicated stunt training facility.

According to MARV Studios, the site would generate economic and social benefits of more than £12 million a year.

Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council said: “This is an immensely exciting prospect for Derby, and a very different suggested use for the Aida Bliss site.

“MARV Studios would be a fantastic media brand for us to attract to Derby, putting us on the map as a key player in the creative media sector.

“Of course, it would also contribute significantly to our aspirations to diversify the local economy and regenerate the city centre.”

The Aida Bliss site, which has stood empty for almost 20 years, was acquired by the city council in 2018 to enable the construction of a new flood wall as part of the ‘Our City Our River’ scheme.

More recently, proposals for 74 new homes were drawn up and put out to public consultation.

A planning application for the housing scheme is still anticipated but has not yet been submitted.

The city council’s cabinet is due to meet this month to discuss the proposals from MARV.

It said that any sale of the site to the film production company would be subject to planning permission being secured.

Damien Walters, a spokesman from MARV Studios, said: “The academy will provide new studio space for MARV, the production company behind the Kingsman film franchise, and other leading international film and TV productions.

“In addition, it would accommodate Europe’s first stunt training academy, and also provide a National Centre of Excellence in areas of tumbling, trampolining and martial arts and parkour.

“Core to delivering the Centre of Excellence will be the opportunity for a wide range of local people and organisations to use the facility, from schoolchildren in Derby to world-class, high-performance athletes.

“This will support grassroots and community sports, as well as elite athletes and Olympians.”