Warner Bros Studios Leavesden to undergo significant expansion

Warner Bros Studios Leavesden (WBSL), the company behind the Harry Potter film franchise, is set to undergo a significant expansion to boost the UK film and television industry.

Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement that WBSL will be expanded with the addition of 10 new soundstages and an additional 400,000 square feet (37,000 square meters) of production and support space.

Production capacity at the expanded Hertfordshire site will increase by more than 50%, with WBSL becoming the main production hub for DC Studios.

The project is expected to create 4,000 “direct or indirect” jobs across Britain and increase WBSL’s contribution to the UK economy by “more than £200 million”, Warner Bros Discovery said.

Groundbreaking on the project is expected to begin next year, with the expansion expected to be completed in 2027.

The worldwide hit film Barbie and the HBO series House of the Dragon are among recent productions filmed on WBSL soundstages.

The studio also developed the Harry Potter franchise and its fan tours are a major tourist attraction.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt described Warner Bros Discovery’s investment in the site as a “huge vote of confidence in the UK”.

He said: “The enormous strength of our creative industries allows films and TV shows made in the UK to reach cinemas and theaters around the world, including the Barbie and House of the Dragon series.

“Warner Bros. Discovery’s ambitious plan to expand its Leavesden studio is a huge vote of confidence in the UK – creating thousands of jobs and growing our economy – and means British-made entertainment will continue to delight and entertain global audiences.”

Simon Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, said: “Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios is globally recognized for its exceptional soundstages and facilities, and with this planned expansion adding significant capacity and capacity, it will house even more studios. incredible storytelling for film and television projects.

“We are proud to not only grow our productions in Leavesden and make it the main hub for DC Studios, but also to increase our economic and community contributions to the UK’s creative sector.”