EXCLUSIVE: Scottish film studio closes its doors

Pioneer Film Studios, the centre of a planned production hub in Stepps, Glasgow, has closed down due to financial difficulties.

The facility quietly shut its doors in spring this year, having opened in 2022 with a self-funded, two-three year expansion plan due to be followed by the final completion within five years.

It was also the first Scottish studio to collaborate with on-site childcare provider Wonderworks.

The facility was located in Buchanan Business Park, and the establishment of the studio attracted a clutch of production service and location companies that opened branches on the campus, with the aim of the whole site becoming a national production hub for Scotland.

The Knowledge spoke to Scott McNicol of McNicol Property Consultants, who manages Buchanan Business Park on behalf of the private landlord.

He told us that some of the auxiliary companies are still active on the site, and that, importantly, the original studio facility can still accommodate film and TV projects, as long as the necessary warehouse spaces etc are available at the time. Netflix has taken production office space there for the summer.

For more on UK studios around the nations and regions, take a look at our latest edition of World of Studios. To book your spot in the next issue, email Sarah or Alex.

Image credit: Pioneer Film Studios, 2022.