A production company which has worked on blockbuster British films is in talks about opening a studio and stunt school in Derby.
MARV Studios has approached Derby City Council about building the film studio and stunt training facility in the empty Aida Bliss factory, in Chester Green, in the north of the city.
It wants to put £13 million in the scheme which could also include a fitness and rehabilitation centre, a gym and sports facility – open to the public – and what would be Europe’s first ever dedicated stunt training facility.
The company has worked on blockbusters such as Kick-Ass, Harry Brown, Layer Cake, Stardust and Rocketman, featuring stars such as Daniel Craig, Robert de Niro, Helen Mirren and Hugh Jackman.
Its latest movie is the third in the Kingsman spy franchise, set at the start of the 20 th century and starring Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton and Rhys Ifans.
British stuntman, freerunner and ex-gymnast Damien Walters – who has worked on films such as Kick-Ass, Captain America and Skyfall – is part of the MARV Studios team.
He said: “The academy will provide new studio space for MARV, the production company behind the Kingsman film franchise, and other leading international film and TV productions.
“In addition, it would accommodate Europe’s first stunt training academy, and also provide a national centre of excellence in areas of tumbling, trampolining and martial arts and parkour.
“Core to delivering the centre of excellence will be the opportunity for a wide range of local people and organisations to use the facility – from school children in Derby to world-class, high-performance athletes – this will support grassroots and community sports, as well as elite athletes and Olympians.”
The city council said the potential £13 million investment could generate economic and social benefits of more than £12million a year, creating new jobs and bringing visitors to the city.
The Aida Bliss factory, in City Road, has been empty since 2003 and was bought by Derby City Council in 2018 to enable the construction of a new flood wall, which has since been built.
The council has been drawing up plans to build 74 homes on the site – its biggest investment in council homes in decades – while keeping the Victorian façade of the former Haslam's Foundry.
A planning application for the housing is still anticipated but has not yet been submitted.
Any sale of the site to MARV would be subject to planning permission being secured for its new plans and Derby City Council’s cabinet is expected to meet in June to discuss the proposals.
Council leader Coun Chris Poulter said: “This is an immensely exciting prospect for Derby, and a very different suggested use for the Aida Bliss site.
“MARV Studios would be a fantastic media brand for us to attract to Derby, putting us on the map as a key player in the creative media sector.
“Of course, it would also contribute significantly to our aspirations to diversify the local economy and regenerate the city centre.
“We’re keen to attract the best possible solution for the site, and any final decisions will of course be taken through the council’s cabinet to discuss.
“We will be arranging an opportunity for local residents to learn more about these proposals and will confirm the arrangements for this shortly.”
Residents will be able to ask any questions about the proposals at a drop-in session between 1pm-3pm on Wednesday, June, at St Paul’s Church Hall, in Seale Street.
