‘Hullywood’: Hull to boost filming offer as Apple TV’s ‘Blitz’ lands in city

‘PRIME LOCATION FOR FILMING’: Hull City Council leader Mike Ross

By Rick Lyon

Hull City Council is aiming to increase the city’s profile as a filming location hotspot following recent productions.

Apple TV’s Blitz is currently filming at locations across the city, including Hepworth Arcade, High Street and Walton Street, and has recruited more than 750 extras.

The city council is now planning to capitalise on this and other successful productions, including Enola Holmes 2, The Crown, The Extraordinary Life of David Copperfield and A Royal Night Out by developing a TV and Film Prospectus and marketing plan.

The prospectus will detail how the council has moved from simply being a location finder to a full service provider. It will set out all the services the council can offer, including professional management services, client liaison and on-site operational delivery.

The council’s partnership with Screen Yorkshire has helped to showcase the city to national and international location managers and producers, resulting in regular site visits. More filming is already scheduled.

PRODUCTION HOTSPOT: Apple TV’s Blitz is currently being filmed in Hull

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of the council, said: “The council’s events and destinations teams have been working closely with film and TV location managers for a number of years now, building strong relationships and the reputation of the city as a prime location.

“It is clear we can and do provide more than just somewhere that looks great – we have an incredibly professional set-up and our reputation is building across the film industry.

“But now we want to take it up to the next level and that’s why we’re launching our prospectus. I am sure our city can reap the reward as Hull takes on more of these exciting productions.

“Having these large-scale productions in the city is not just fantastic for our residents to see and be part of, it has a real financial benefit.

“Crews are filling our hotel spaces and using our leisure and hospitality offer. Most productions will recruit extras from the local area too. This brings in upwards of £250,000 direct spend across the city’s hospitality, retail and accommodation sectors.”

Filming of Blitz is expected to take place for around two weeks.