Cheshire country estates could earn extra cash as film locations

The search is on to find more properties that could be used by the film and TV industry.

Cheshire is no stranger to the silver screen.

The BBC’s Peaky Blinders was partly filmed in Arley Hall in Northwich and was also used as the set of the Disney Channel’s first UK live production, Evermoor.

Lyme Park and Delamere Forest have featured in 1995 film Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth, and Peter Harness’ TV adaption of H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds, respectively.

Countryside locations can provide opportunities to the television and film industry, according to property advisors Savills.

Paul Hutchinson, director and head of the rural management team at Savills in Chester, says: “As everyone will be aware, the logistics of coordinating hundreds of people working in close proximity on a range of timescales and locations meant that productions were simply postponed or cancelled in a lot of cases during the pandemic.

Rural businesses and country estates are being urged to put themselves forward as TV and film locations (Image: Savills)

“However, what came from that was an incentive for filming to be taken to larger spaces and, for owners of rural property, there is perhaps more opportunity than ever to be part of the television and film industry. It has created an opportunity for many landowners and rural businesses across the county to diversify.”

Rural businesses and country estates offer ideal locations for TV and film crews to spread out.

Paul said: “Rural estates and private country homes can provide the additional space and accommodation that has become a necessity for productions and has led to locations being sought further afield, including Cheshire, which may well be advantageous to rural property owners and provide an opportunity for an interesting new revenue stream.

“The key is to be proactive.

“Take good photographs including fields, out buildings and accommodation that showcases the range of your property.

“Check that there are no reasons why you cannot legally hire out the site and decide what you will accept as a fee, including the cost of disturbance to the daily operations.

“It is also worth getting in touch with agencies who will actively promote your property around the industry.”

More guidance, including the latest protocols, is available from APA (commercials), the British Film Commission (TV drama and features), PACT and Film London.