Purpose

To provide updates on The Bottle Yard Studios performance, and governance review and to seek approval for future funding application.

Decision

That the Strategy & Resources Committee:

1. Noted the economic, cultural and strategic impact delivered by The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office and UNESCO City of Film status and related activity.
2. Noted the historic financial summary of The Bottle Yard Studios over the past 5 years.
3. Noted the updated position regarding the continued review of governance.
4. Approved the submission of a funding bid to the West of England MCA Creative Places Growth Fund.
5. Noted the allocation of £250k from the Capital Contingency Fund within 2026/27 in order to progress and deliver a Full Business Case for the development opportunity at The Bottle Yard Studios.
6. Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Committee Chair, to submit a bid for up to £6m to the West of England MCA Creative Places Growth Fund. If the bid is successful, a report will be brought back to Strategy & Resources Committee to request that the bid is accepted once final terms are established and request to delegate authority to officers to deliver the project, subject to completion of a Full business Case.
7. Noted that any requirement to ringfence future operating surpluses from The Bottle Yard Studios for reinvestment in the estate will be assessed as part of the potential grant funding, Full Business Case and future governance review. Any final decision to amend financial arrangements will be subject to further financial assessment and Section 151 Officer approval.