Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle, has been a vital backdrop for several major productions, including a Hollywood film starring Ralph Fiennes and Jodie Comer and a British/German film featuring Tim Spall, Jack Whitehall, and Jennifer Saunders.
The business village’s involvement in the film industry began when the production company behind “28 Years Later,” the third instalment of the cult horror franchise directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle, chose it as a base while shooting in Northumberland and the wider North East.
Laura Goldston, general manager at HyHubs, which owns and runs Hoults Yard, said: “The 28 Years Later production company took over several units at the Yard for costumes, set design, and make-up.
“They eventually had 12 units over a seven-month period and also used some of our outdoor spaces for spraying costumes.
“Extras for the film met at the Yard and it wasn’t unusual to see some of the film’s stars in our eateries on the Yard.
“Jodie Comer and Danny Boyle were both spotted in Cake Stories café.”
As the Yard’s involvement in “28 Years Later” was ending, the production company behind a joint British/German film, “Night and Day,” also chose Hoults Yard as a base.
The film’s production company, Asterik Films, took over three spaces on the Yard over a six-week period.
(Image: Hoults Yard) Meanwhile, a quiet, under-developed area of the Yard was transformed into a set for Sara Davies’ new 15-episode BBC show “The Big Idea Works.”
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Charlie Hoult, MD at HyHubs, said: “We’ve been thrilled to host the film and TV companies on the Yard and we’re now actively looking to attract others to our flexible spaces.”
Alison Gwynn, chief executive at North East Screen, said: “We’re delighted that Hoults Yard has joined the growing list of venues that are ready and willing to support our productions filming in the region.
“It’s a great space – not just for filming but to house key departments such as make-up and costumes.”
