Warner Bros Studios ready to play its part

Artist's impression of Warner facilities

Warner Bros Studios Leavesden is ready to play its part in the Olympics.

They have joined the Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners Partnership (HRFWP), an organisation led by the county council.

The partnership exists to take full advantage of the opportunities offered to the county by the 2012 event.

Warner Bros recently purchased the former air base to redevelop the existing Leavesden studio facilities, which have been in use since 2000.

The plans include creating a major film studio and a visitor attraction at the site, where all eight Harry Potter movies were filmed.

Welcomed

The Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners Partnership is made up of key organisations from across Hertfordshire and they have welcomed its new partner to support Hertfordshire's key role in the world's biggest sporting event.

It is hoped that the addition will further inspire all of Hertfordshire's communities to get behind the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and enjoy a sporting and cultural legacy long after the main event in 2012.

John Fuller from the HRFWP said that it's very good news.

"For us, to have them as a major player with us has been crucial" he said.

"We are trying to get an increasing number of business partners involved with our partnership and we've been very successful so far. We've had a number of small companies but Warner Brothers is a major international company and on top of that they're undertaking this massive investment in the county.

"Some £100 million is being invested at Leavesden for the future. There'll be a new Harry Potter themed area and for us it links to the Olympics because they hope it will open in May 2012. For us it links with what we are doing - the cultural Olympiad and a whole host of things.

We hope it will encourage other big players within the county to join us. John Fuller, Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners Partnership

"Now for us looking forward to the future we hope it will encourage other big players within the county to join us."

One area that the studios is likely to be involved with is tourism.

"We're looking for programmes potentially where people will come for the games and they'll be looking for a day out in between" explained Mr Fuller, "and going to the Harry Potter themed studio will be something that will be quite unique for them.

"So it [Warner Bros] is adding to those opportunities that the county is looking towards. In these difficult financial times it's a great opportunity to help build local businesses to help build that framework and to get Hertfordshire really on the map for the future."

Delighted

Dan Dark, SVP and Managing Director, Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, said:

"We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to play our part in the Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners Partnership, as part of our sustained commitment to supporting local communities around Leavesden."

There are now 38 partners committed to creating healthier and closer communities through increased participation in sport, competition, cultural events and volunteering, as well as increased opportunities for young people and a stronger Hertfordshire economy.

Hertfordshire has the honour of hosting an Olympic venue, at the Lee Valley White Water Centre located in Broxbourne and the HRFWP will be hosting a number of Olympic teams while they train for the Games, bringing great benefits to the county.