QUINTAIN (2017 - Present)
On 12th January 2016 it was announced that the Avesco Group PLC had come to an agreement to sell the freehold of the Wembley studios to Quintain.
"Avesco Group PLC Tuesday said subsidiary Fountain Television Ltd has agreed to sell its television studios in Wembley for GBP16 million, and this sale is likely to lead to the closure of the Fountain Studios business, as it reported a swing to a pretax profit in its most recently ended financial year. The studios are most well known as the venue for the live stages of 'The X Factor' and 'Britain's Got Talent'.
Fountain has agreed to sell the freehold land and buildings at the studios to Quintain Wembley Fulton Road Ltd for GBP16 million in cash, and at the same time has also agreed to enter into a lease back of the premises from the buyer at a nominal rent for up to five years."
Alliance News Limited/Morning Star
Quintain took possession of the site on 1st March 2017 at midnight and have since started a public consultation on their 'Fulton Quarter Masterplan" which is likely to see the studios and adjacent retail park developed into a mixed use site.
In the shorter term however various events have been staged at the studios, including the MTV Europe Music Awards 2017 After Party, and a charity function in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation. The studios have also been used as a rehearsal space and as a rave/night club venue.
"Avesco Group PLC Tuesday said subsidiary Fountain Television Ltd has agreed to sell its television studios in Wembley for GBP16 million, and this sale is likely to lead to the closure of the Fountain Studios business, as it reported a swing to a pretax profit in its most recently ended financial year. The studios are most well known as the venue for the live stages of 'The X Factor' and 'Britain's Got Talent'.
Fountain has agreed to sell the freehold land and buildings at the studios to Quintain Wembley Fulton Road Ltd for GBP16 million in cash, and at the same time has also agreed to enter into a lease back of the premises from the buyer at a nominal rent for up to five years."
Alliance News Limited/Morning Star
Quintain took possession of the site on 1st March 2017 at midnight and have since started a public consultation on their 'Fulton Quarter Masterplan" which is likely to see the studios and adjacent retail park developed into a mixed use site.
In the shorter term however various events have been staged at the studios, including the MTV Europe Music Awards 2017 After Party, and a charity function in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation. The studios have also been used as a rehearsal space and as a rave/night club venue.
2017 music video featuring stars of McFly that was shot at the studios after Fountain had vacated.
Troubador / Wembley Park Theatre (2018 - Present)
It was announced on 23rd May 2018 that Troubador Theatres had taken a lease on the studios and would work to create a start of the art theatre running for the remainder of the site's life. From wembleypark.com:
"Today Wembley Park announced an exciting new theatre venture. The flexible 1,000-2,000 seat capacity Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is being created inside the former Fountain Studios by award-winning Troubadour Theatres. Troubadour Theatres will run the brand-new theatre in Wembley Park and will work with well-known and emerging production companies and artists to stage world-class entertainment within a flexible space unmatched by other London theatres.
In addition to a flexible performance space, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre will also house a modern state of the art restaurant and a fun, sociable bar space.
Located within the former Fountain Studios, which are best known for being the venue of live televised shows including The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pop Idol, the new theatre will be in the heart of Wembley Park, an area which is fast becoming one of London’s most exciting destinations. Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre will be a fully flexible theatre; a space that can be transformed to suit the requirements for every show – traditional proscenium arch theatre, in-the-round theatrical experiences, or immersive shows. It will encourage theatrical producers to think big, offering them an affordable alternative space to present bold and ambitious shows."
In early 2019 it was announced that War Horse would be the first theatrical production to be staged at the new Wembley Park Theatre. From whatsonstage.com:
"The National Theatre's hit show War Horse is to return to London following its UK run. Having come back to the National Theatre in November 2018, the production is currently touring the UK and worldwide and will arrive back in London at the new Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in October.
Running from 18 October to 23 November 2019, tickets for the show will go on sale from 15 February 2019. Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is being created inside the former Fountain Studios. It will open in summer 2019, with the inaugural production and further programming to be announced. The production is fully flexible 1,000 to 2,000 seat theatre from the award-winning team behind the King's Cross Theatre and will include a modern bar, restaurant and an open air terrace."
It was announced on 23rd May 2018 that Troubador Theatres had taken a lease on the studios and would work to create a start of the art theatre running for the remainder of the site's life. From wembleypark.com:
"Today Wembley Park announced an exciting new theatre venture. The flexible 1,000-2,000 seat capacity Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is being created inside the former Fountain Studios by award-winning Troubadour Theatres. Troubadour Theatres will run the brand-new theatre in Wembley Park and will work with well-known and emerging production companies and artists to stage world-class entertainment within a flexible space unmatched by other London theatres.
In addition to a flexible performance space, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre will also house a modern state of the art restaurant and a fun, sociable bar space.
Located within the former Fountain Studios, which are best known for being the venue of live televised shows including The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pop Idol, the new theatre will be in the heart of Wembley Park, an area which is fast becoming one of London’s most exciting destinations. Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre will be a fully flexible theatre; a space that can be transformed to suit the requirements for every show – traditional proscenium arch theatre, in-the-round theatrical experiences, or immersive shows. It will encourage theatrical producers to think big, offering them an affordable alternative space to present bold and ambitious shows."
In early 2019 it was announced that War Horse would be the first theatrical production to be staged at the new Wembley Park Theatre. From whatsonstage.com:
"The National Theatre's hit show War Horse is to return to London following its UK run. Having come back to the National Theatre in November 2018, the production is currently touring the UK and worldwide and will arrive back in London at the new Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in October.
Running from 18 October to 23 November 2019, tickets for the show will go on sale from 15 February 2019. Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is being created inside the former Fountain Studios. It will open in summer 2019, with the inaugural production and further programming to be announced. The production is fully flexible 1,000 to 2,000 seat theatre from the award-winning team behind the King's Cross Theatre and will include a modern bar, restaurant and an open air terrace."
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