Emmerdale moving home to 'safeguard future'

Emmerdale is moving back to its original home and is to be given a £5 million revamp in order to 'safeguard the future' of the soap, ITV Studios has announced.

The Emmerdale production centre will be housed, with 'first class' high-definition facilities, in the Kirkstall Road studios in Leeds.

The rural soap's current centre for its production sets and offices is in Burley Road at the back of the complex.

The centre, which had been a car showroom, was opened by former Prime Minister John Major in 1997.

With rapid advances in digital technology, its facilities now need "considerable updating" - and ITV has decided to put investment back into the original main building which has purpose-built studio facilities.

Lee Bartlett, managing director of ITV Studios, said: "This investment is about safeguarding the future of Emmerdale. Giving this highly-respected production team and cast an up-to-date modern purpose-built facility is key to enhancing the quality of our production many years into the future."

He added: "Few cities outside London can boast production of three hours of prime time top-rated drama every week, and this team deserves the best possible environment in which to work and operate."

The broadcaster has completed a review of the facilities after it was announced that Heartbeat and The Royal would be mothballed and more than 190 job cuts were confirmed at the Leeds complex.

Plans are being made to start the work in the New Year and it is expected to take up to 12 months to complete.

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