As figures show film and TV has generated £150m for the Liverpool city region economy since 2019, River Capital provides six-figure cash injection for a local post-production venture to create new jobs. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool SME investment specialist River Capital is injecting a six-figure sum into a TV and movie post-production venture.

This investment, via Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Flexible Growth Fund, will support Dragon Post in establishing a world class film and TV post-production facility in Liverpool city centre.

Dragon, which currently operates out of Hardman Street in Liverpool city centre, and Cardiff in South Wales, aims to create seven full-time jobs in Liverpool, providing comprehensive post-production services for film and television.

TV and movie production is booming in Liverpool city region. Figures from the Combined Authority earlier this week revealed there had been more than 1,600 production since 2019, adding £150m to the local economy and supporting more than 5,000 jobs.

That has been down to the efforts of the Liverpool Film Office which has helped make Liverpool the most filmed area outside London.

Introduced in 2019, the Combined Authority’s £2.8m LCR Production Fund has played a pivotal role in driving growth – increasing the number, range and scale of feature films and scripted television made in the city region.

However, one of the gaps in the local sector has been a lack of post-production facilities which has meant when filming is over the next stage of production moves elsewhere.

First arriving in Liverpool 18 months ago, Dragon has already invested more than £250,000 into the city and.

With the support of River Capital, this new facility will feature the largest 4K Grading Theatre in the North West, along with viewing theatre, editing, online, conform, QC and deliverables facilities.

Dragon Post’s Cardiff facility has already established itself as a leader in post-production having worked on internationally acclaimed projects including Academy Award winning The Hurt Locker and BAFTA-winning Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

The expansion project has strong backing from Liverpool Film Office. Beyond job creation, Dragon Post is committed to delivering substantial social value including apprenticeship schemes, work experience opportunities with local schools and universities across the city region.

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Jeff Cummins, investment manager at River Capital said: “Dragon Post brings world class post production capabilities to our region, this funding support exemplifies our commitment to assisting businesses in Liverpool city region’s priority sectors.

“It is creating employment opportunities and establishing important industry partnerships. The strong connection with Liverpool Film Office and the calibre of the management team make this an exciting addition to our creative sector portfolio.”