Warner Bros opens new £100m UK studio

Warner Bros has invested £100 million into a new base of operations in Hertfordshire in a move that continues the British film industry’s recent successes.

Harry Potter, Bond and Sherlock Holmes have all filmed at the Leavesden studios, prompting Warner to take over the site.

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President and managing director of Warner Bros UK Josh Berger told Sky News: “It clearly demonstrates the company's commitment to the UK and underlines our belief in the world class talent that resides on these shores.”

Last year a record-breaking £1.26 billion was invested in UK films, generating £4.5 billion for the economy.

It’s the first studio like this to be built in the UK for 70 years and the first time a major Hollywood studio has moved to the country.

The recently-opened and hugely popular Harry Potter studio tour is located nearby, turning an already bustling area for film fans into Hollywood's new base in the UK.

The 200-acre site includes huge sound stages, one of Europe's largest underwater filming tanks and an enormous 100-acre back-lot for outdoor scenes.

Warner's investment will mean the site can rival fellow UK studios Pinewood and Shepperton, which have housed numerous classic films over the years.

Before its takeover, the studio had also filmed 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'Wrath of the Titans' at Leavesden.

Last year Warner were dominant in the UK box office takings, generating ticket sales of £206 million with an 18% market share.

Warner’s UK base will create 400 permanent jobs and hundreds more with each production that comes to the area. It’s hoped that the television, advertising and games industries will also take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities.