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Response from Steve Carson, in relation to BBC Scotland's Studio Infrastructure and BBC Studioworks recent media concerns

Letter from Steve Carson, Director, BBC Scotland to the Convener in relation to BBC Scotland's studio infrastructure and BBC Studioworks, 28 June 2021

Dear Ms Adamson

Thank you very much for your letter of 23 June.  May I first of all congratulate you on your recent appointment as Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.

In your letter you note the committee’s concerns about media reports focussing on BBC Scotland’s studio infrastructure and BBC Studioworks.

Overall, the BBC wants to increase investment and support the expansion of the broadcast production sector in Scotland, delivering more content as part of the Across the UK strategy, announced earlier in the Spring.

On the question of studios, BBC Studioworks is in talks to take on the operational management of the Kelvin Hall studio, which is to be funded by Glasgow City Council and supported by Screen Scotland. How the BBC can best relate with the development at Kelvin Hall is currently being reviewed in detail. And, as part of this process, we are also looking at a range of options around the operation of the BBC’s studio facilities in Glasgow.

I would like to reassure you and the committee that at this point no decisions have been made.   A range of options is on the table, BBC Scotland is centrally involved in the process and we are consulting fully with our staff during this review.

When the opportunity permits, we would, of course, be delighted to speak to the committee about our overall studio infrastructure plans, as we would about our overall business development strategy. In the meantime I hope this letter provides you with the reassurance that no decisions on this matter have yet been made.

Yours sincerely

Steve Carson

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