Film Barking & Dagenham’s ‘MAKE IT HERE’ programme – funded by the borough’s film studio operators MBS/Hackman – has been created to create a set-ready workforce to support film activity in the borough, tackle industry skills gaps and offer new opportunities for learners, jobseekers and local businesses.
Through this programme we are helping local businesses to understand and access new opportunities. We ran a Meet the Buyer event, where businesses from different sectors gathered to understand how the sector works and the type of opportunities available, from catering, cleaning, security and transport to film locations and specialist services.
And we are working with the studios and local productions to broker opportunities for local businesses.
Ritchie’s Bakery is a local, family-run business that has developed a strong client base and were looking to expand and take on more staff. They had registered with the Council’s Business Forum to hear about local news and opportunities, where they heard that the Wharf Studios in Barking were seeking an operator for a new on-site café.
Ritchie’s Bakery applied was successful and took on the tenancy of the café, alongside its existing site in Barking. Working with the Council’s film office and Business Forum, the business has been able to promote the café, bakery and catering services to visiting production crews.
The business has increased their turnover, allowing it to employ more local staff and offer catering on a larger scale. They are working to give back to the community they live and work in, working with the council to recruit locally and participating in a food festival at a local school to introduce different foods to residents and young people.
For more information about the free support and guidance that is available to your business, click: bdopportunities.org/bd-does-business/business-support-and-advice
To keep up to date with local business opportunities, register with the Council’s Business Forum here: Business Forum – B&D Opportunities (bdopportunities.org)
