Spotlight on Yorkshire Day

31 July 2019

Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) and partners across the region are celebrating iconic locations and productions this Yorkshire Day with a new social media campaign.

Yorkshire is renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse locations, however these picture perfect scenes are so much more than that, providing the setting for well-known TV series and films which are transmitted into homes around the globe.

In fact, the county has emerged as the fastest growing region in the UK for TV and film, outstripping the rest of the UK by more than double in recent years. Combined with the availability of emerging on and off screen talent and experienced crew, the region has an increasingly compelling offer for the industry.

Local screen industries are set to be further invigorated with the imminent arrival of Channel 4 and new post production and TV and film studios in Leeds.

Since Channel 4’s decision was announced in late October 2018, UKTV, Wise Owl and Workerbee (formerly Endemol Shine North) have announced moves to the city as has PACT (independent production trade association) and the NFTS (National Film and Television School).

Locations being celebrated in the campaign include ‘Victoria’ at Harewood House, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ at York train station and perhaps more surprisingly, ‘Peaky Blinders’ at Bradford City Hall. ‘The Yorkshire Dales and The Lakes’ as well of course, and more recently ‘Gentleman Jack’ at Shibden Hall, Halifax. The diversity of these locations showcases everything that the region can offer domestic and international audiences.

This isn’t a new phenomenon for the region. It is widely celebrated that the world’s very first moving images were filmed on filmed on Leeds Bridge in 1888 by Louis Le Prince.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the LEP and NP11 said:

“Talent lives throughout Leeds City Region; our culture and people are distinctive, often under-represented and burning with promise. It is our time to shine and Yorkshire Day gives us the perfect opportunity to remind everyone what we have to offer.”

Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council said:

“Leeds and all of Yorkshire offers such a wealth of opportunities when it comes to TV and Film – from our landscapes and historical buildings and streets, right through to our people and the diversity of our heritage.

“The TV and film industry is thriving within our city with key announcements such as Channel 4 locating here, and most recently the approval to go ahead with a new state of the art TV and Film studio. It is a really exciting time to see the sector grow and expand and we are delighted to be supporting this.”

Andrew Sheldon, Creative Director and Founder at True North, makers of The Yorkshire Dales and Lakes said:

“We pride ourselves on making Yorkshire programmes and Yorkshire Day is a great opportunity to shine the spotlight on the beauty of the region and how its personality is brought to life on screen.”

The most recent series of Doctor Who was filmed in Sheffield and stars the first female Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, who also happens to be from Skelmanthorpe, near Huddersfield.

Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said:

‘’This has been a transformative year for the screen industries in Leeds City Region and Yorkshire Day is a great opportunity to spotlight the dramatic locations that have captivated filmmakers and audiences from around the world. It’s also a chance to celebrate those individuals and businesses working behind the scenes of Yorkshire’s thriving film and TV industry, who have laid the foundations that will support generations of screen talent for many more years to come.’’

To take part, look out for the campaign across social media by following #YorkshireDay and share your own favourite on screen sights.