Equity will question Bristol City Council in a meeting on Monday 17 March to ask about the lack of consultation on the sale of Bottle Yard Studios. The meeting of the council’s Strategy and Resources Committee will take place at 2pm.
Bristol City Council has still not held meaningful consultation with Equity and other unions about this decision. This is despite Councillors agreeing in November last year that any sale could only be possible after consultation “with all relevant trade unions including those representing freelance workers”. Members of Equity’s Bristol & West of England Branch will be attending as part of the public questions section of the meeting to demand transparency, scrutiny and accountability from councillors before plans to sell Bottle Yard Studios progress any further.
The Equity members will ask the committee about the council’s continued failure to consult with the union over the sale; whether the dropping of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policies by US companies will be taken into account when the council decide who to sell Bottle Yard Studios to, and why the agenda already refers to the “the decision to sell Bottle Yard Studios” despite this decision having not been taken yet (see questions below in full).
Equity is also encouraging members to email Bristol City Councillors on the committee to ask them to properly scrutinise the proposed sale before making any decisions.
Equity’s questions to the Committee
Questions from Rachael Fagan, actress and Equity Councillor (representing South West members on the union’s governing body):
Q1: Council's failure to consult Equity trade union on the sale of Bottle Yard Studios
Why has the Council failed to engage Equity UK in a meaningful consultation about the sale of Bottle Yard Studios, despite the Chair of the Committee (and Council Leader) promising to do so during the 14 October Committee meeting when Equity raised our concerns?*
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* See minutes of 14 October Council meeting item 61. https://democracy.bristol.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=37753 accessed 16.31 on 11/3/25 ModernGov - bristol.gov.uk
Q2: Attacks on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in TV & Film production make US streamers unsuitable candidates for Bottle Yard Studios
Many streaming services in the industry are changing their EDI policies to appease the current US administration, this puts Bristol City of Film's commitment to "diversity within our film and TV industry"* at risk, and makes many streamers unsuitable buyers for the Bottle Yard Studios. Will the Council prioritise the public interest over supposed commercial sensitivity, and disclose who they are considering selling Bottle Yard to?
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* taken from https://bristolcityoffilm.co.uk/diversity-and-employment-standard/ accessed 16.28 on 11/3/25
Diversity & Employment - Bristol City of Film: We’re working with the wider cultural sector to address barriers to employment and career progression for people across Bristol’s communities.
Question from Naomi Richards, actor and Equity member:
Why does the Committee agenda refer to the decision to "the decision to sell Bottle Yard Studios" (p. 191 public document pack) when no final decision on the sale has been taken, as agreed during the 14 October Extraordinary Committee meeting (item 61)?
Background
In September 2024 Bristol City Council announced plans to sell Bottle Yard Studios, which is currently the only UK film studio to be owned by a local authority. It has hosted a wide range of film and TV productions, including Sherlock, Poldark, Hellboy, Crystal Maze, and Broadchurch.
Equity campaigned against a rushed sale of the studios and called on Councillors to pause the sale to ensure that all options are considered to protect jobs and the wider cultural sector. Over 1,000 emails were sent by Equity members and supporters to Bristol City Councillors asking for the sale to be delayed.
On 11 October Equity officials met with Alex Hearn, Director Economy of Place at Bristol City Council, to discuss the proposal. At the meeting Alex Hearn confirmed that Bottle Yard Studios makes a profit and brings a return to the council. It also became clear that many of the financial workings, reports and strategy documents have not been available to the public, and possibly even elected Councillors in the current administration.
On 14 November Bristol Councillors backed an amendment forcing Council Officers to bring back sale plans to Council for approval. The Councillors agreed that any sale could only be possible after consultation “with all relevant trade unions including those representing freelance workers”.
As the performing arts and entertainment trade union, Equity represents the majority of freelance creative workers who use Bottle Yard Studios. The livelihoods of Equity members will be directly impacted by any sale.
