Amazon submits Bray Film Studios expansion plan
Amazon submits Bray Film Studios expansion plan
Elena Chiujdea - Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThu, July 16, 2026 at 5:24 AM UTC
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The expansion proposal promises to create "a world-class studio blending function and desirability"
Amazon MGM Studios has submitted plans for the expansion of a Berkshire film studio that was previously home to iconic horror studio Hammer Films.
Bray Film Studios, at the historic Water Oakley site, previously saw the filming of movies such as The Mummy and The Curse of Frankenstein.
But production began to decline in the 90s and 2000s and the site was nearly converted into housing.
However, a UK film and television production boom in the past decade has seen the studios brought back into use for major productions.
And in 2022, the previous owner of Bray Film Studios got the go-ahead from the Royal Borough to revamp the site.
In 2024, Amazon MGM bought the site to film some of its biggest shows, and said its expansion plans would create "a world class studio blending function and desirability".
The company said it would create 470 jobs during the construction phase locally, and 920 in Berkshire
It has been using the site for filming since 2022, where it produced the Lord of the Rings spin off, The Rings of Power and the second series of Citadel.
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A public consultation asking for views on the plans to modernise Bray Film Studios ended in May.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said the expansion would create 470 jobs during the construction phase locally, and 920 in Berkshire.
Hopkins said: "With Bray as our creative home in the UK, we are committed to deepening our relationships with the UK creative community, which is rich with world-class storytellers and creative talent of all kinds."
Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick (right) were pictured preparing for filming on The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Bray Studios in October 1974
The expansion of the studios would see the creation of four workshop buildings, six new sound stages, and six other temporary sound stages already on site would become permanent.
The previous expansion plans for the studio looked to convert Down Place House – a Grade II-listed building – into a home.
But Amazon MGM wants to instead refurbish the building and use it as a production office.
Once the expansion is finalised, Amazon MGM wants to be able to film two productions at the same time – two films or two series – with approximately 20,000 sq m of total stage space planned.
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Amazon MGM Studios plans major Berkshire site revamp
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
