Nottingham (Lenton Lane)

Nottingham

The Television House / East Midlands Television Centre / Central Studios / Carlton Studios
Constructed March 1981- September 1983
Operational September 1983
Formerly Opened March 1984 (Duke of Edinburgh)

The studios at Lenton Lane in Nottingham were originally built for Central Television, as part of its IBA requirements for broadcasting in the region. In 1994, as Carlton took over Central, it also acquired the Lenton Lane studio complex. This was at odds with Carlton's original London franchise strategy as a publisher broadcaster - their original intention was to commission programmes, not produce them. With a 16 acre studio site on their hands, Carlton (through Central) became a programme production company overnight.

In make-up rooms at Carlton Studios Nottingham.

"The Nottingham site offers much more than excellent studios. There are 14 edit suites, 4 dub suites, production offices, graphics, construction, prop stores, action and tracking vehicles, a restaurant for 400 people and 500 spaces in the car park. Whether youʼve a massive network production or tiny corporate film, Carlton Studios can provide the best services at the best price." - Carlton Studios Advertisement 2003

Studio 6

Size: 3350sq ft (22.1m X 14.13m)
Grid Height: 24ft
Cyc Rail Height 18ft 2in
Audience capacity: 100

Studio 7

Size: 8000sq ft (27.m X 27.3m)
Grid Height: 36ft
Cyc Rail Height: 27ft 9in
Audience Capacity: 500 (Seating for 235)

Studio 7 was the largest studio at Lenton Lane. Used for a wide range of productions,

Studio 8

Size: 7000sq ft (27.1m X 24.1m)
Grid Height: 36ft
Cyc Rail Height: 27ft 9in
Audience Capacity: 500 (Seating for 235)

Construction of Crossroads sets in Studio 8.
© Carlton Television

STUDIO 9

Central News East Studio, used for regional news.

Studio 9, Central News East (2003)
© Carlton Television / ITV Studios

Located on the first floor, the studio was next to the Newsroom, which often featured as a backdrop for occasional pieces and trails.

Studio 9 (Newsroom), Central News East (2004)
© Carlton Television / ITV Studios

Studio 10

Size: 650 sq ft
Grid Height:
Cyc Rail Height:
Audience Capacity: N/A

Studio 10 was a small studio added in the 1990's. Converted out of offices close to the main entrance, the studio was mostly designed to produce inexpensive content for the new satellite and digital channels.

"The ‘low costʼ area Studio 10 has recently had a gallery refit and continues to be a huge hit with small regional, corporate and training programmes. John Revill, general manager, makes reference to the small technical crew required by this facility. ‘Weʼre able to produce full broadcast widescreen pictures with a specialist gallery crew of only 4 people. The 650 sq. ft. studio is ideal for lower tariff productions, the area can be used for pilots or concept development." - Carlton Studios Advert, 2003

The site also contained a 2099sq ft music studio, between Studio 6 and Studio 8.

Outside Studio 8 - Crossroads
© Carlton Television / ITV Studios

When Crossroads came to the studio in 2001, major modifications were made to the Studios. Studio 8, originally the 6000 sq ft Supermarket Sweep studio was altered to become the motel interior. The adjacent music studio was also fitted out with bedroom sets as part of the motel. Externally, a crossroads fascia was added to the studio building.

Crossroads managed approximately 400 episodes before it was axed. The end of its run was a big blow for the studios. While the studios continued to produce programmes and were hired out to other production companies, this wasn't enough to support the massive Lenton Lane site.

The merger of Carlton and Granada to form a single ITV was the final straw. With the new merged company finding itself with a number of regional studio sites, ITV deemed many to be surplus to requirements. After the merger was completed in early 2004 the news everyone feared finally became a reality. It was announced the facilities on Lenton Lane would close. Local news would now be presented from Carlton's Gas Street Studios, with a local newsdesk opened at Terry Lloyd House in the East of the region.

Despite the opposition from the 200 strong workforce at the studio, the NUJ, and 27 local MPs who signed a petition to keep the studios open, the site was finally closed in Spring 2005.

POST ITV (2005-)

ITV moved out of the studios in 2005, when the site was sold to the University of Nottingham, becoming the Kings Meadow Campus. As part of their refurbishment programme, Studio 8 has been modified into a temperature controlled storage room. A mezzanine floor has also been installed.

Studio 8 conversion in progress
© University of Nottingham

Studio 7 remains semi-operational, and includes most of its original fixtures and fittings. Audience seating is still used for various events, and the lighting grid is also used. The original studio gallery for Studio 7 still exists, but is not operational, with most of the equipment and fittings removed. Presumedly, an OB truck could be used outside to provide these facilities should use of the studio be required in the short term.

The studios have been used in television productions recently, although not in quite the same way. In 2014, as part of Come On Down! The Game Show Story, Bradley Walsh visited Studio 7 as part of a segment on The Price is Right. Walsh interviewed producer Howard Huntridge and the first contestant on the show, Wendy Partridge.