|
A planning application for new temporary stages, workshops, and other
associated temporary buildings for two years at Bray Studios was recently
granted planning permission by The Royal Borough of Windsor and
Maidenhead. The work is well under way, with full attention given to new
working practices imposed due to Covid-19. A new fence has been erected
along the front of the site and landscaping works are in progress. Further reshaping of the earth bunds and tree planting will take place over the course
of the next few months.
A very significant benefit of the studios coming back into operation is the
boost to the local economy. Maidenhead firm, 4 Front Security, has recently
been appointed to manage and run the 24-hour security services at Bray
Studios. Naturally this means new jobs have been created in Maidenhead.
The construction staff, site workers and visitors have been using local
caterer La Spiga, on the Windsor Road, and those based at the studios are
actively using local companies including the Oakley Court Hotel, The
Queen’s Head filling station, The Greene Oak, and other restaurants in Bray.
There has been a great deal of progress on restoring Down Place House,
the Grade II listed building with its iconic portico overlooking the Thames.
Thousands of handmade bricks have been used to restore and recreate the
west side of the building, which was the original entrance, and the
contractors have now moved on to the roof to restore the structure and
castellations.
Down Place House dates back to 1750 and was leased to Hammer Film
Productions in 1951 for a year, before a new studio (now known as Studio
three) was built immediately south of the mansion for Hammer House of
Horror where films continued to be made until 1970.
|
