As many as 230 jobs could be created in Scotland's television sector following a relocation of the making of long-running BBC drama, Waterloo Road.
The job prospects – across all levels of the production, from script to screen – follow an announcement that Waterloo Road makers, Shed Productions, is to significantly expand its operations following a relocation, from England, of the BBC show.
Says a media statement issued by Scottish Enterprise, the move “will generate almost £25 million in direct investment over the next two years”.
The statement continues: “Shed plans to base production in Glasgow and Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International are working with the company to support the relocation and identify appropriate filming locations around the West of Scotland. It is expected that the move will lead to 230 job opportunities across all levels of the production, from script to screen.”
Shed Productions, which is part of Shed Media Group, is behind UK television shows, Bad Girls and Footballers Wives.
The company opened its Glasgow office three years ago at Glasgow’s Digital Media Quarter at Pacific Quay, supported by a regional selective assistance grant from the Scottish Government.
Filming of Waterloo Road will start in Scotland from April next year. Initially, there will be 50, one-hour episodes over two years.
Shed Productions was established by Elieen Gallagher – a former director of broadcasting at STV – Brian Park, Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus in 1998.
Shed Media Group also recently helped establish a TV fiction scriptwriting post-graduate course at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Three years ago, broadasting regulators, Ofcom, cleared the BBC of accusations it had mis-labelled Waterloo Rooad 'Scottish' when, in fact, it was being made in England.
