Great Point to manage Seren Stiwdios, Wales

Media investment company Great Point, run by Jim Reeve and Robert Halmi, has entered into an agreement with the Welsh Government to lease and manage the Seren Stiwdios (formerly Pinewood Wales) complex in Cardiff. 

Great Point will manage the studio for 10 years, with an option to acquire and expand the large studio complex. It is the company’s first foray into UK studios, but its third overall, following the recent announcements that it is developing two sites in NY, one in Yonkers and one in Buffalo. 

Seren Stiwdios ('Studios' in English) was built and developed by the Welsh Government in 2015. Leased and managed by Pinewood until March this year, it has four stages totalling 74,000 square feet, in addition to production office and ancillary space. Productions to have used the site include A Discovery of Witches, The Crown and, most recently, Roald and Beatrix.  

Great Point expects to exercise its option to acquire Seren Stiwdios sometime next year and has developed plans to expand the complex and site. In addition to updating the existing studio space, they plan to introduce an additional 150,000 square feet of stages, offices and backlots as well as a range of integrated services including equipment rental, catering, cleaning and security.  
 
Great Point’s co-founder Reeve, who is based in London, said, “The Seren Stiwdios complex has a rich history and offers the finest production facilities in the region.  We are thrilled to explore its possibilities.” 

Great Point chairman and co-founder Halmi added, “In addition to the superb shooting space on site, the city of Cardiff and the surrounding countryside offer beautiful, varied and compelling settings for location filming.” 
 
Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “We are delighted to welcome Great Point to Wales with the establishment of their first studio complex in the UK as they bring with them access to a global network of industry contacts and exciting opportunities. 

“Great Point’s approach to supporting and developing the local supply chain along with their commitment to education and mentoring will further enhance the creative sector in Wales. Great Point Seren Stiwdios will enhance Wales’ reputation as a preferred location for productions and further improve career and employment opportunities.”