THE director of the BBC has said the transformation of a once neglected part of south Essex is changing the cultural landscape of the UK “as much as the Olympics”.

Tony Hall was visiting the High House production Park in Purfleet and described how “phenomenally important” the site was to the UK economy.

Mr Hall said: “People now understand – this is money – this is jobs. The Olympics had a lot to do with changing that – and now I see the same thing happening with Purfleet. It’s more than exciting – it’s astonishing.”

The comments were made at the Annual Conference for Building a Creative Nation at the Highhouse Production Park last week.

Mr Hall was referring to both the commercial success - and local ties - of the Royal Opera House Production Park and the Backstage Centre - state-of-the-art music and film recording studios - in Purfleet.

He was also referring to plans for new film studios in the Thurrock area, including a £5m investment at Purfleet which is set to get funding from the Essex LEP in 2016.

Mr Hall said: “Things have changed drastically in the last decade and now the creative industries are a really important part of the UK economy.“ 

The UK creative sector was the biggest growth sector in the national economy last year, with the film production industry alone contributing over £1.4 billion to the UK national economy.

Much of the demand in the UK creative sector has been driven by US production companies looking to take advantage of the tax breaks for the UK film industry - and film within the M25 circle.

Reports are that UK film studios such as Pinewood have not been able to keep up with demand.

Tory MP Jackie Doyle-Price said: “I always enjoy showing off what we have got here and the Production Park is just going from strength to strength. It’s quite clear that Purfleet is going to be a major centre for creative industries in the country.”

Speaking on a matter close to his heart, the BBC Director also spoke about opening up the creative industries to be more diverse.

He said: “I feel very strongly – this is something very personal to me - that the industries need to be more inclusive and less of a middle-class preserve for people with degrees. I want to see as diverse people in our workforce as possible. I see Thurrock as playing a big part in that in the future by opening up apprenticeships and vocational training.”