Don’t Sell Bottle Yard Studios Bristol Union Calls

The council-owned industry filming resource is up for sale

No sale without consultation, is the cry from Equity Bristol and South West ahead of the imminent sale of Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios.

The future of the film production space in the city is set to be decided at Strategy and Resources Policy Committee next week.

The Bottle Yard Studios has seen the production of some of the biggest TV shows in recent years. It has 11 sound stages in total, sound-proofed spaces, green screen studio and workspaces.

Information in the papers is being tightly guarded.

Papers says: ‘This report requests approval to dispose of the asset specified in Appendix A. The details are exempt but the negotiations appear to meet the council’s obligation to secure best consideration on council assets given the independent valuation and current offer. The council has a target of £21.6m in capital
receipts in 2024/25 and disposals of this value will be required to meet that target.’

They also say: ‘There is no impact on staff groups or citizens, as the Council does not currently occupy or deliver services from these sites.’

But Equity Bristol and South West say they have received no promised invitation to consult over the sale which was given at Strategy and Resources Policy Committee in October last year.

The union is asking for the sale to be blocked until a proper consultation has taken place.

‘Equity represents the vast majority of freelance creative workers who use Bottle Yard Studios. Our livelihoods will be directly impacted by this sale. We deserve to be heard before any decision is made…Equity’s key concern is that opportunities for good quality work in film & TV remain or grow in Bristol. Whatever happens to Bottle Yard, we want to see safeguards bake in on jobs and opportunities for freelance workers. Bottle Yard Studios is a strategically curcial asset which contributes to Bristol as a City of Film, and supports Bristol City of Film’s commitment to diversity in the sector. We have no guarantees that any buyer for Bottle Yard will continue the crucial work of supporting the small scale film production that is the bread and butter of freelance Equity members’ work.’

Bristol-based actor and Equity union rep for the region, Rachel Fagan asked ahead of Monday’s meeting: “Why has the Council failed to engage Equity UK in a meaningful consultation about the sale of Bottle Yard Studios, despite the Chair of the Committee (and Council Leader) promising to do so during the 14
October Committee meeting when Equity raised our concerns?”

Fagan referenced the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee meeting of 14 October 2024

Bristol City Council said: “The council has engaged with trade unions and directly employed staff. The wider impact of the sale has been considered in the Equality Impact Assessment. Relevant and appropriate updates will be shared with stakeholders, with particular focus on ensuring those working at or from the site are kept updated on progress at appropriate points. The Director of Economy of Place met with Equity on 11.10.24 and Bectu on 15.11.24.”

The committee ‘resolved’ last year to ‘consult with all relevant trade unions including those representing freelance workers.’

But representatives for Equity say they have ‘received no such invitation to be consulted.’

The union say it was offered a ‘hurried’ meeting with just 24 hours notice with Bristol City Council’s Director Economy of Place, Alex Hearn.

This, Equity says, was where trade union representatives were told the “sale was happening”. They were also told that the “justifications” for the Bottle Yard Sale were “commercially sensitive and could not be disclosed.”

Equity members and those affected by the sale of Bottle Yard Studios are being asked to sign a petition ahead on Monday’s meetings: https://equity.eaction.org.uk/BristolDontRubberStampBottleYardSale

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