New depot now open to support Liverpool’s burgeoning film industry

Supply 2 Location Group Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of Location Services & Logistics Support to high-end film and TV production in the entertainment industry, is busy expanding its operations to meet the considerable growth in the sector.

The company, which has recently provisioned The Batman and Outlander in the UK’s North-West, has opened a Northern depot on Merseyside with over 4,000 sq. ft. of space stocked with essential and specialist equipment for immediate location deployment.

The Knowsley-based facility off Coopers Lane was officially opened on Friday 2^nd December by local MP, the Rt. Hon. Sir George Howarth, a supporter of Liverpool’s growing film economy, which is successfully promoted by the Liverpool City Region’s Film Office.

Sir George met Ian Pearce, Supply 2 Location’s MD, Regions; Jacqui Rafferty, the company’s Regional Business Development Manager and Arne Usher, the Depot Manager, as well as Lynn Saunders, who is the head of the Liverpool Film Office and Filming Studios, ‘The Depot’.

Ian Pearce said: “We’ve been searching for the right premises in Merseyside to act as our Northern hub for some time, so we are delighted to be opening this strategic and vital facility in Knowsley. Its location enables us to provide a faster, more efficient service to all our existing clients as well as providing a full support service with a lower carbon footprint because of our reduced journey times to the increasing number of production companies understandably choosing to film here and across the North-West of England.”

Simultaneously, and as if proof were needed, Liverpool’s flourishing film industry credentials took a massive step forward with the announcement of a major deal being signed to regenerate the iconic Littlewoods Buildings into one of the UK’s largest film and TV complexes in the UK. 

The Knowsley MP was shown around the new warehouse, which is stocked with thousands of essential items required daily by Film & TV Location and Unit Managers. These include lighting, heating, power, water bowsers, transport, catering equipment and temporary structures. Ian Pearce showed Sir George how the company is working hard to supply sustainable components including rechargeable battery lights and increased bio-fuel options.

To support this facility, Supply 2 Location is planning to create up to six new roles over the next year. Ian observed: “It is well documented that the rise in TV and film production in the UK has created a worrying skills shortage in our sector.  With our extensive experience in the film industry, we are well placed to help provide mentoring and training for those studying or living locally who wish to develop careers in this incredibly rewarding industry.”

Sir George Howarth said:

“It was a great pleasure to visit the Supply 2 Location facility today. They are clearly at the forefront of the film production support sector, and it was very encouraging that they are looking towards creating training opportunities for local people to get involved in the industry. I look forward to working with them and others to help bring that about.”

Lynn Saunders, Head of Liverpool Film Office said:

“The film & TV industry across the UK is booming, which is reflected in our region. Liverpool is the second most filmed city in the UK and as a result of the work of the LFO and the region’s LCR Production Fund, direct inward investment into the region’s economy in 2022 is projected to exceed £21m. It’s a year since we opened The Depot, which is helping to retain productions in the region for longer. Supply 2 Location has established a strong industry reputation for supporting an impressive list of film and TV productions across the North-West and the UK for more than a decade. Having them in Merseyside will, we hope, encourage even more productions to Liverpool, knowing that we can offer a permanent and supportive infrastructure.”

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