Filming locations and 4 stages since 2013. (Major improvements proposed, possibly available from 2026)
The striking Gillette Factory marks the end of the Golden Mile on the Great West Road in Brentford. It is a landmark building that was designed by Sir Banister Flight Fletcher in 1936-7. As well as the beautiful frontage to the A4, it extends a considerable distance back to Sky’s huge studio campus as several buildings have been added over the years. Gillette moved its manufacturing to Poland in 2006 and the factory was left empty. There was a plan to convert it into a luxury hotel but this came to nothing.
In 2013 the site was purchased by The Vinyl Factory and made available for filming. Four stages totalling around 63,000 sq ft were converted from the existing facilities, although these represent a relatively small proportion of the complex. The old factory has appealed to a number of film-makers – not just because of the range of interesting locations it offers but because of its proximity to central London, ease of access to Heathrow and the privacy that the site affords.
Films and TV dramas that have used these facilities for part of their schedule include 24: Live Another Day (Fox 2013-14), Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (Fox 2014-15), Allied (Paramount 2015-16), American Assassin (CBS 2016-17), Electric Dreams (Sony 2017), Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox 2017-18), Four Weddings and a Funeral (MGM TV mini-series 2018-19), Infinite (Paramount 2019-20), All the Old Knives (Amazon 2020-21), The Peripheral (Amazon 2021), Argylle (Apple TV+ 2022), Tetris (Apple TV+ 2022), Top Chef (Bravo 2022).
image thanks to The Vinyl Factory and 180 Studios
In October 2022 some interesting proposals were revealed. The Vinyl Factory and 180 Studios plan to redevelop the site, restoring and refurbishing many of the original buildings and constructing several new sound stages. The plans have been very well developed and represent an excellent use of these old industrial facilities. The total sound stage area will go from about 63,000 sq ft to around 150,000 sq ft. There will be four new stages of approximately 21,000 sq ft and two of about 15,500 sq ft plus three of the existing somewhat smaller stages. A VR volume is also included in the proposals. There will be significant workshop space and the usual support facilities including offices.
Public consultation events were held in June 2024. Following those, the owners have been working up detailed proposals for the development. A planning application will be submitted later in the year and if successful they intend to begin work as soon as possible – they say in 2024 or 2025. Construction is anticipated to take 15 – 18 months so the new stages could be open by the end of 2026.
This looks to me to be a very well-designed scheme that will provide much needed facilities for the film and High-End TV industry as well as preserving some beautiful, historic buildings. The enlarged studios will also of course provide direct and indirect employment and benefits to the local economy. Let’s hope it all goes ahead as soon as possible.
Image thanks to The Vinyl Factory and 180 Studios
