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Making use of council assets to boost income and bring business into the area is nothing new for councils. Here, Yvonne Rees explains how Surrey does it with a touch of Hollywood glamour. Shepperton Studios, known worldwide for films like The Day of the Jackal, Ghandi and Alien, has a rival for stardom on its doorstep – Surrey CC. The council is looking to boost the £100,000 a year it makes from television shows as alternative income sources are sought in the current economic climate. The old courtroom at the council's County Hall will feature in a new BBC legal drama starring Maxine Peake and Rupert Penry-Jones, with more the 1,000 cast and crew of the six-part series called Silk, to be aired next year, spending a week in Kingston. This week Billie Piper was at the council's headquarters filming scenes for a new series of Confessions of a Call Girl due to be shown next year. Other productions County Hall has appeared in during the past year include New Tricks and Criminal Justice. Building and maintenance team leader Steve Taylor says: ‘County Hall is a particular favourite with its oak-panelled court room, courtyard and basement, which TV companies often transform into a prison, but we are currently working on how we can extend interest to other county council premises and attract more production companies to come and film in Surrey.' The council hopes Surrey's towns and villages will also benefit as it seeks to support the county's tourism economy, which sees an estimated 500,000 people visit each year. Figures from Screen South, the film and media agency for the South East of England, show more than £76m was generated from production companies on location between 2008 to 2009. And 77% of Britons said they have chosen holiday destinations and day trips after seeing them in a movie or TV series. The authority knows Surrey has star quality. The remake of the Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood was filmed at the Hampton Estate in Seale, near Guildford, in 2009. Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott and more than 1,000 cast and crew used more than 50 buildings, a church and working mill to recreate Nottingham Village. Council leader Dr Andrew Povey said: ‘It's not surprising that Surrey has become a sought after setting for films and television productions with the breathtaking scenery and rich heritage we have on offer, and it is always exciting to see the county on the big screen. ‘Not only do local businesses and attractions benefit hugely during production, but films inspire tourists to come and visit us. Tourism is so important to the county with more than 33,000 people working in the industry. We support them wholeheartedly and the county council is a proud member of the Visit Surrey Partnership, set up to co-ordinate and promote tourism in the area.' Hampton Estate manager Bill Biddell said: ‘Filming is a welcome boost to Surrey tourism as people are fascinated by visiting the settings of their favourite films. The county is always going to be popular with production companies because it is so close to Shepperton and Pinewood film studios. Filming also helps out the local trade, especially with a film as big as Robin Hood, where more than 750 people are using local restaurants, shops, pubs and hairdressers.' Yvonne Rees is strategic director for customers and communities at Surrey CC

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WHITEHALL

Surrey on the silver screen

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