The New Neighbours

The Covid pandemic and the lockdowns that followed, rather turned everyone’s attention away from developments on the far side of the old May and Baker chemical plant site.

When the chemical plant closed in 2013, the massive site was split 3 ways:

• Elutec College of Design and Engineering

• London-East Business and Technical Park

• May and Baker Sports and Social Club, operated by the May & Baker Eastbrook Community Club Ltd

The original plans for the strip alongside the railway line, were for a large Sainsbury’s supermarket. But the plans were later revised, and then dropped, as Sainbury’s pulled out completely in 2016. The council then purchased the land back from Sainsbury’s.

A feasilibilty study funded by the council and the Mayor of London In late 2016, then put forward ambitious plans to build the first new film and television studios in London for over 25 years.

Sadly the orginal backers chosen for the project, Pacifica Ventures, put plans on hold in 2019, citing concerns after Brexit.

Of course the old May and Baker site has been used regulary for filming, with World Productions filming the award winning Code of A Killer onsite in 2014, and more recently filming their new show The Suspect. The site has also recently hosted a Channel 4 production starring James Nesbitt. In recent years Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Doctor Strange and Netflix's Black Mirror have been filmed in various locations in the borough.

Fast-forward to November 2020, and new backers were found, and signed an agreement with the council, for a 250 year lease, with planning permission to build and develop Eastbrook Studios.

Hackman Capital Partners (HCP), which also owns Culver Studios and Television City Studios, both in California, and Silvercup Studios in New York, is investing ”hundreds of millions” in the project. It will feature:

• 12 sound stages

• Three acres of backlot

• Offices and ancillary space.

The Eastbrook Studios will create an estimated 1,200 jobs. Read more about Eastbrook Studios here. Construction is already underway, and expected to be completed in 2022.

HCP have also leased two wareshouses from the council, to be used as additional studio space, located on the River Roding in Barking, creating a further estimated 600 jobs. The Wharf, will occupy a 10 acre site, and will compliment the work at Eastbrook Studios.