Hello Jimmy

News reached us this week here at the Oakeley Arms that the famous film company Pinewood Studios will be opening up a new studio facility in Cardiff! Pinewood are one of the best-known British film producers, with films like Superman, the Carry-On series and of course the ever popular James Bond films.

Image by Alexander Williams on wikicommons

Their huge studio base is currently just outside London, on the site of an old country house. It was transformed into film studios in the 1930’s by millionaire businessman Arthur Rank. The studios have expanded greatly over the decades, and last year the company announced their first production facility in America would be located near Atlanta in the state of Georgia.

So, our beautiful country’s capital city is in good company, as Pinewood Studios come to Cardiff. Cardiff has re-invented itself in recent years as the media capital of Wales, and many production and film companies are now moving out of London to make the most of the modern Welsh facilities, stunning scenery and warm Welsh welcome. Hit TV shows like Doctor Who, Gavin & Stacey, Torchwood and Merlin are famous names that are produced in Cardiff.

Pinewood Studios are planning to take move into a complex of over 180,000 square foot, and the Welsh government hope that it will bring a whopping £90 million boost to the Welsh economy, and will attract more top actors and film professionals to Wales.

For the filming of the next James Bond film we think the production team should hop up the A470 and pay us a visit up north. They’ll find some stunning scenery here in Snowdonia, and of course a very warm welcome for Mr Bond here at the Oakeley Arms bar!

Image by wonderferret on wikicommons

Mr Bond you can drop into the Oakeley bar any day!