Green light for Salford film studio plans

Plans to retain a film studio in Salford for use in future editions of one of the UK’s most popular TV shows have been backed.The Circle is reality show on Channel 4 – produced by Studio Lambert – where contestants all reside in one building but live in separate apartments, interacting with one another through a bespoke voice-activated social media platform.Those taking part will get to know each other through what they choose to upload onto their profiles and what is shared in their chats with others in The Circle.The show has aired two series, with the latest launching in September 2019. It was nominated for Best Challenge Show at the 2020 National Television Awards.The Circle is filmed in Salford, with permission having previously been granted last year for the structure being erected and occupied for a period not exceeding nine months in any 27-month period for the purpose of commercial film-making.It was recently proposed that the structure be retained for a three-year period as filming is expected to recommence in September 2020.A report to Salford City Council noted that it is “not practical for the structure to be dismantled between each recording” as this would “be likely to cause greater disruption, particularly due to the necessity for a temporary road closure for the erection and dismantling process”.Permission has now been granted by the authority under delegated powers, with the facility to be situated within the Salford University Adelphi Campus site, in which shows will be recorded with a live audience of about 100 people.This is scheduled to take place on up to eight dates in the autumn of 2020.At other times, it will remain unused.