Plans to reject Dumbarton’s bid to host Scotland’s new film studio have provoked an angry response from local MP Gemma Doyle and MSP Jackie Baillie.

In 2013 the Scottish Government invited bids from across Scotland to become the base for a major film and studio complex. Proposals were submitted by Dumbarton along with four other towns in Scotland.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie and MP Gemma Doyle had called for investment at BBC Scotland’s Lomondgate studios but have now been told that the bid will not progress to the next stage.

 Jackie said:

“We have the infrastructure, the skills and the scenery of National Park on our doorstep to host a major film studio. Dumbarton would have been the perfect location to attract top Hollywood talent to Scotland and the Scottish Government has missed a great opportunity by rejecting our bid. A state of the art studio would have created highly-skilled jobs and been a positive boost to our local economy so I am disappointed with the decision not to give Dumbarton the studio.”

Gemma said:

“This news will come as a serious blow to residents and local businesses in Dumbarton. Dumbarton has been home to Scotland’s longest-running drama series, River City, for 12 years and in that time the studios at Lomondgate have hosted numerous film and TV productions. It’s clear that we had a very strong case for a film studio in Dumbarton to complement our existing talent base and infrastructure. Frankly, I am at a loss to explain why the Scottish Government has not noticed Dumbarton’s potential