Swindon centre gets starring role on the big screen

Bizspace is getting ready for its big screen debut after our Swindon business centre was chosen to be a filming location in a new crime drama.

Film crews headed to BSS House in Swindon, along with a cast that included Terri Dwyer, who found fame after starring in Hollyoaks and Holby City, as well as presenting the home improvement show 60 Minute Makeover.

Temporary transformation for filming

The business centre, which was built in 1984, was chosen because it resembles a police station and had business units that could be transformed into sets for the film – called Jack Mulligan.

Bizspace customer and founder of Shooting Stars, Kris Sommerville, suggested BSS House as a film location. His business has been based at the centre for three-and-a-half years and supplies police uniforms and props to the TV and movie industry.

Kris is friends with the film’s writer and producer Andy Nolan, as well as the director Tom Begley. When he heard they were looking for a location which could be turned into a police interview room and custody suite, he realised BSS House would fit the bill.

The crew then hired some units at the centre to recreate rooms in a police station.

Kris says: “We shot a few scenes at the centre with the main cast including Terri Dwyer. One of the offices was used as a police interview room and we also put a police sign at the front and used the exterior as a police station.”

He added that filming also took place in the entrance and stairwell.

He explains: “Jane Kirk, the Business Centre Manager, went out her way to make everyone welcome, as did Kirsty on reception and Derek the handy man. The crew also used the local café to feed everyone.”

Shooting for the stars and film

Jack Mulligan is a half-hour film which will tell the story of an ex-criminal who returns to his old neighbourhood in west London after 10 years, to seek revenge on his former gang boss. As well as Terri Dwyer, the cast includes former Irish boxing champion Steve Collins who appeared in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

The film premieres later this month in London, New York, Boston and Los Angeles and the team is currently holding fundraising events to support the debut screenings.

Kris, a former police officer, started his business Shooting Stars with just two uniforms in his spare room in 2011. His collection of uniforms and props quickly expanded and he moved into BSS House in 2012.

Shooting Stars now stocks more than 500 authentic uniforms from the police, ambulance and fire services and supplies them to the television and film industry. His costumes include Victorian police uniforms for use in period dramas.

Kris also works as a consultant, advising film crews on matters concerning policing. He says:

I chose BSS house as I found it friendly and there is a real community feel.

“The businesses all help each other and get on well. BSS House offered me what I needed and saved me buying a place of my own and paying small business rates as they are included in the rent.”

“I have now been at BSS house for three-and-a-half years, having moved four times from unit to bigger unit as the company has expanded.”

Swindon business space

BSS House has a range of offices and industrial units and was Swindon’s first ever business centre. Located within Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, it has a well-established business community and good transport links as it is near both the M4 and A419.

For more information contact Jane Kirk on 01793 613 456.