Glasgow rageat studio snub

Glasgow’s local authority leader Gordon Matheson has launched a bitter public criticism of Scottish Government arts minister Fiona Hyslop for rejecting an ambitious bid to make the city home to a national film studio.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Feb 2015, 15:45 BST

The could-be site of the new national film studio.

Together with the Chamber of Commerce and the director of Film City Glasgow he is accusing the minister of a flawed decision, and argues it is “hard to comprehend” how the city could lose out – as he sees it – to rival Cumbernauld “15 miles away”.

As reported in the News over recent weeks speculation is rife that Cumbernauld is hot favourite to win the national film studio hub, it’s thought through a private bid backed by Scottish Enterprise. Glasgow’s bid is said to have been rejected because EU rules mean the Scottish Government cannot give 100 per cent cash backing to such a scheme. The Holyrood administration hasn’t explicitly backed Cumbernauld, but the Glasgow trio’s letter says it is “common knowledge” the town is in the frame. A decision is likely within weeks.