

Image Credit: KAL Visuals
Jonathan Todd
Chief Economist
Jonathan is an economist with over a decade’s experience in impact assessment and evaluation, and high-level policy experience, particularly within the cultural and creative sectors.
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Our new research, commissioned by Film London, demonstrates the economic benefit to London and its 33 boroughs of location filming days.
Drawing, for the first time, upon Film London data on location filming days and an industry survey of associated spending, we found that last year these filming days:
Generated £168m in turnover for the capital
Supported the equivalent of 1,680 full-time jobs
We found that every pound spent by Location Managers on the filming of features on local authority charges (e.g. administrative fees and logistical costs such as road closures), an additional £2.76 is generated for the local economies of these boroughs. This £2.76 is composed of £1.79 being directly spent with local businesses (e.g. cafes, shops, hotels), and an additional 97p passing into local supply chains. This means that for a feature film spending £10,000 a day on local council fees, an additional £27,600 of spend ripples through the local economy.
Welcoming the research, Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said:
“Location filming, whether it’s around London’s most famous landmarks or in anonymous warehouse space, has a very real benefit for local economies. We hope that by highlighting this we can encourage more local authorities to help us to unlock additional space, maintain the industry’s skills base and ensure London retains its competitive edge so that it remains at the heart of the global film and TV industry.”
This research has been reported by the BBC and the Irish News.

Project Report
ABOUT US
EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
Building on our contribution to the second edition of the report in 2018, BOP has led as the Data and Research partner on this report to help find out how policies can protect people working in the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
UNESCO
Our strategy will guide the creation of a new digital service aiming at supporting and developing the creative scene in Downtown Kingston.
Leveraging the creative potential of Downtown Kingston through technology
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Our research into the UK's high streets found that 69% of people think culture on their high street makes their area a better place to live.
Culture: The cornerstone of the UK’s high streets
Arts Council England
BOP’s updated Handbook for the Inter-American Development Bank sets out strategies for sustainability and urban resilience
Creative and Cultural Industries and Urban Revitalisation in the post-COVID era
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
We investigated the potential impact of AI on the cultural and creative industries.
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
European Commission
Published today: ‘Design for Good: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards’, a new publication from the RSA, co-authored by BOP
A History of Bright Ideas: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards
The Royal Society for Arts (RSA)
New skills research in the Gulf Co-operation Council States
An evidence-base for the growing Gulf festivals sector
British Council
Our research into the museum workforce is launched
Conscientiousness, optimism, and curiosity
Museums Galleries Scotland
BOP’s report for Nanjing City Government demonstrates the importance of cross-cutting policies with a compelling cultural offer at the core
Creating Healthy Night-time Economies in World Cities
Nanjing Creative Center
Findings from our work at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Creativity in health settings
GOSH Arts
How is China influencing the future of Cultural Tourism?
Cultural Infrastructure for the 21st Century
Chengdu Media Group
Based on our impact analysis we estimate $750 billion in lost GVA for the CCI as a result of the pandemic so far.
Economic impact of COVID-19 on the Cultural and Creative Industries
UNESCO
Our analysis of the strengths & challenges of music in the Midlands is published
Hitting the right notes in the Midlands
Arts Council England
New handbook published for city leaders
How can cities make space for culture?
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
Our report sheds new light on how building the capacity of the heritage sector can assist working internationally
International working builds stronger heritage sector at home
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our new report with Nesta published
Opportunities for China-UK Cooperation through Equity Crowdfunding
Nesta
Our new research report for the National Trust
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
National Trust
Our latest research for the Reading Agency shows we should read year-round
Reading is for life, not just for August
The Reading Agency
Our review of the Scottish Animation Sector, commissioned by Creative Scotland, has just been published
Review of the Scottish Animation Sector
Creative Scotland
UK-wide study of visitor experience practice provides new benchmarks for cultural and visitor attractions
Sharing Operations and Visitor Experience insight
VE:Forum