The future of Elstree Film and Television Studios is in good hands, Hertsmere Borough Council has assured, after agreeing to secure Big Brother and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? for the next two years.
The studios, which belong to the council, were the subject of a private meeting of Conservative executive councillors on Wednesday, which was closed to the public and press because of commercial sensitivities.
After the meeting, councillors confirmed they would guarantee that the contracts with Endemol and Celador, the makers of the two hit shows, would last until August 2007 and May 2007 respectively.
Normally, the management would set contract lengths, but because their contract to run the studios runs out in March 2007, every film or television proposal beyond that date must now go through the council.
However, Labour councillors are concerned the studios could be strangled' by this new policy, saying production companies will go to other studios where the contract process is quicker.
Councillor John Graham, portfolio holder for finance and property, said the council was committed to the long-term future of the studios.
He said: "That's the right way to go because we've always said this has been marketed as a studio site. We are committed to maintaining production.
"We agreed last night that we are going to take it on a case by case basis.
"We are doing our best. We are protecting those contracts and we are actively seeking for somebody to put money into the studios."
Studios director Neville Reid, who currently runs the management company, said: "It's good news as long as they keep saying yes'. If they don't then clearly that has a direct impact on our business.
"We are concerned. Productions want a very swift response. It needs to be kept in the spotlight that we need a quick response or we are going to lose money because they will go somewhere else."
Labour leader, Councillor Leon Reefe, said he believes the executive are trying to run the studios into the ground.
"We are concerned that the ulterior motive is for them to sell this site," he said. "They are strangling the studios. If they can show that between 2006 and 2007, there is no business coming to the studios and the company are having a problem paying their annual rental and it's unlikely that anyone will invest, the only thing they can do is try and sell off the site."
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