Major UK studio reopens with approved Covid safety procedures

The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol is now open for production again, having published its 'Covid-19 Site Operating Procedures’. 

Bristol City Council’s corporate health & safety department has approved the document, drafted in line with government policy and industry guidance from organisations including PHE, WHO, BFC, BECTU and pact. 

It provides detailed on-site protocols for tenants, productions and visitors to follow, covering topics such as hygiene and social distancing in communal spaces, general site access, movement around site and parking. It also outlines operational measures put in place at the studios, including cleaning regimes, signage, waste removal, WC and hand sanitising stations.

The Bottle Yard Studios has a designated Covid-19 supervisor as the point of liaison between all productions and permanent tenants on site, who, to ensure a free flow of up-to-date information, will each be required to designate their own Covid-19 supervisor.

 The Bottle Yard Studios Covid-19 Site Operating Procedures can be downloaded here. 

Studios director Fiona Francombe says: “These are exceptional circumstances and as a multi-occupancy site, the health and safety of our clients, tenants, staff, contractors and visitors is of utmost importance to us. Since productions were forced to pause in early March, my team has been working to put measures in place to enable productions to resume activity on site as safely as possible. 

“I’m pleased to say that the necessary inspections have been undertaken by Bristol City Council and our Covid-19 Site Operating Procedures have been approved, meaning we’re once again fully open to productions.”

The Bottle Yard has been home to many high-profile productions over the years, including historical dramas The Spanish Princess (pictured) and The White Princess, two of the series adapted from Philippa Gregory’s books, The Trial of Christine Keeler and The Pale Horse. 

Last month it was announced that founder/director Francombe is set to leave the studios after ten years at the helm. 

Photo by Nick Briggs - © 2018 Starz Entertainment, LLC