Regional Attraction Fund displays its assets

Date posted: 7th April 2005

Regional Attraction Fund displays its assets

North West Vision has made the first award from its Regional Attraction Fund (North West Vision initiative funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency) to Hat Trick North, the Manchester-based offshoot of Hat Trick Productions, producers of the hugely successful 'Have I Got News For You', 'Father Ted', 'Bodies' & 'The Kumars at No 42'.

The Regional Attraction funding (RAF) will give the company the best possible start to its operations in the Northwest and enable it to develop key creative talent and programming in the region.

Headed up by locally based producer Rebecca Papworth, Hat Trick North will initially be staffed by a team of four and will focus on comedy, entertainment and factual entertainment commissions. It aims to turnover £5 million and generate 6,500 freelance days over the next eighteen months.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have provided initial funding of £1million for the RAF to be managed by North West Vision, and it is a major initiative to attract not only high-growth independent producers to England's Northwest but also to assist in the growth of existing production and facilities companies in the region.
As well as providing start-up funding, North West Vision will also broker other support for the company through its partnerships with Media Training North West, Manchester Investment & Development Agency Service, Manchester Enterprises and Chamberlinks.

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of North West Vision, comments:

"We have received over 100 enquires about the Fund since the start of the year, both from out-of-town indie suppliers looking to establish a local base, and from the indigenous independent production community. We're delighted to be supporting Hat Trick in this exciting, new venture and will be making many such awards over the next six months in order to strengthen the region's TV production base."


Hilary Strong, Group Business Director of Hat Trick Productions, comments:

"Together with Rebecca, we plan to grow a self-sustaining company with a strong regional identity. The on-going support offered by North West Vision and the Northwest Regional Development Agency through the Regional Attraction Fund, together with their expertise and enthusiasm, has been one of the deciding factors in our decision to come to Manchester."
Peter Mearns, NWDA Director of Marketing, comments:
"The driving force behind our establishment of the Regional Attraction Fund is to help independent production companies like Hat Trick take advantage of the region's excellent film and television ability. Not only will this funding create jobs for Northwest media professionals, but it will reinforce the region's reputation as one of the most attractive locations for aspiring new talent. I look forward to welcoming Hat Trick to England's Northwest"
Ends

EDITORS INFORMATION:

For all press information, please contact Lisa Hill, Communications Manager on 0161 835 6266 or email lisah@northwestvision.co.uk

North West Vision is the film and TV development agency for England's Northwest. It funds film and TV and programmes, develops new talent, and works to attract new production and inward investment into the region. www.northwestvision.co.uk

The Northwest Regional Development Agency is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and has five key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills and Employment, Infrastructure, and Image. www.nwda.co.uk

The Regional Attraction Fund (or 'RAF') is a major initiative to attract high-growth independent television producers to England's Northwest and to support indigenous production companies in the region. Delivered by North West Vision in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the first £1 million phase of the Fund runs from January 2005 to October 2005 and offers a integrated package of incentives, business support and product development investment to companies with ambitious, market-driven strategies for growth within the television sector. www.northwestvision.co.uk/raf

Hat Trick is is one of the UK's most successful independent production companies, its output being immediately identified with quality popular programming. Hat Trick's reputation has flourished not only in the UK but also throughout Europe and most recently in America. Award-winning shows include 'Have I Got News For You', 'Father Ted', 'Drop The Dead Donkey', 'Room 101', 'The Kumars at No. 42', 'Bodies', 'The Worst Week' & 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' Hat Trick programmes have been nominated for every major award in the industry and the company has won more awards for its comedy and entertainment output than any other producer in the history of British broadcasting, except for the BBC. www.hattrick.com

'