Lights, camera, action as film studio plan gets go-ahead

Plans by a film production company to use a former factory site in the city to make movies have been given the go-ahead by Derby City Council.

Back in May, it was revealed that MARV Studios, which is behind such films as Kingsman, Stardust and Rocketman, had approached the city council to create a state-of-the-art facility at the former Aida Bliss factory, in Chester Green.

The city council has now given the go-ahead on temporary plans for part of the site to be used for “film-making purposes” for a period of nine months.

The plans come after the council rubber-stamped long term plans to sell the derelict City Road building so it can be turned into a new film studio and “Europe’s first film and stunt academy” – subject to planning permission and a business case being worked up.

At the time, Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of the 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.”

Marv Studios is planning to invest £13 million in the vacant building in the long term.

A separate planning application is set to be submitted outlining the company’s long-term visions for the building.

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.

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.

Speaking back in May, 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.”