Plans to expand Loop Studios in Belfast have been announced to provide a further boost for Northern Ireland's film and TV production industry.
The studios' owners, the LCC Group have proposed extending the current site into a new 23,000 sq. ft film studio, with the creation of over 25,000 sq. ft of new workshop space.
Loop Studios has previously hosted high-profile films and television series including Game of Thrones and Dracula Untold, and is currently hosting the filming of the Netflix film, School For Good and Evil.
Located on Castlereagh Road and Prince Regent Road, it is presently undergoing a £4m refurbishment. This work is expected to be completed in the summer.
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Stuart Draffin of Portbannis who is acting for the LCC Group said: “The news of the expansion of Loop Studios is a significant boost for film and TV production in Northern Ireland and a sign that this burgeoning industry is growing steadily.
“Loop Studios have provided facilities for some of the biggest studio operators and production companies in global film and television and these expansion plans will go some way to improving the facilities on offer at the Castlereagh Road site.
“This application comes as a response to great encouragement and support from NI Screen and a thorough conversation between the production companies which have been working at the studios and the owners to ensure that the needs of these production companies can be met into the future.
“A public consultation on the plans will commence in the coming weeks and we are looking forward to engaging with residents, elected representatives and other stakeholders.”
The consultation is expected to get underway on Monday 31 May and run for four weeks.
