The cartoon creator behind hits like Danger Mouse is coming home to Manchester and creating scores of jobs in the process.
Staff from animation studio Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment are moving into The Towers business park, near Didsbury.
Managing Director SimonHall said 40 jobs, for animators or graphic designers, have been generated immediately, with a further 70 to follow in the next six months.
CHF, formerly Cosgrove Hall Productions, was reformed in 2011, having been shut down by owner ITV in 2009.
The firm, which boasts Sir David Jason, the voice of Danger Mouse, as a non-executive director, has been searching for a Manchester base ever since.
Mr Hall, who lives in Macclesfield, said he was delighted to be moving into the Towers and is excited about the future after investing £10m to create two animated programmes.
He said: “It’s a grade-II listed building and basically looks like Toad Hall – it’s perfect and we are just finishing off wiring the place. Our new animators will be working there from early October. It’s great we are coming back to our roots and will be just next door to our old home in Chorlton.”
He added: “We are aiming to bring British humour back to the screen and are looking forward to bringing new people in. All the jobs are listed on our Facebook page.
“We are all about quality storytelling. Thenorth west of England, especially with MediaCity, has a huge talent pool of trained people so it ticks all the boxes. Our shows will sell around the world which will provide revenue streams for the area. And we are forecasting £50m turnover in the next four years.”
The company already has offices in London and New Yor kand currently employs 36 people.
Around £10m has been invested by CHF to make PIP! and HeroGliffix.
Mr Hall added: “HeroGliffix is written by the same team behind Danger Mouse. It’s an adventure comedy for children aged six to 10 about four lycra-clad useless dogs who become superheroes by accident and try to save the world.
“PIP! will air on Channel 5 Milkshake next summer.
“David Jason is one of our investors, board members and a voiceover in PIP.”
He added: “We are also grateful that the government gave the creative sector tax relief in the budget two years ago as that kicked in this year. It allowed us to employ a lot of people in the UK instead of having to take jobs abroad to China, Ireland and Canada.”
TIMELINE
1976 – Cosgrove Hall was founded by Brian Cosgrove and the late Mark Hall.
2009 – The company, which had its main studio in Chorlton and was behind classics including Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, The BFG and Wind in the Willows, was closed by ITV due to a lack of funds to keep it going.
2011 – Resurrected as CHF in the summer.
2012 – Businessman Sir Eric Peacock appointed as chairman of CHF.
2013 – CHF move into The Towers near Didsbury and announce creation of up to 70 jobs.
Source of the above article by Alex Bell, MEN
Manchester commercial property agents, Canning O’Neill acted for the landlord in the letting of c.4,000 sq ft at The Towers on Towers Business Park, Didsbury. If you are looking for offices to let South Manchester, please do give the team at Canning O’Neill a call today!
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