Weinrich Film Studios enters administration after 2023 strikes

Movie studios that were once a popular location for Hollywood blockbusters have been put under surveillance.

Weinrich Film Studios has cited “cash flow issues” associated with the 2023 writers and actors strike in the United States as the reason behind its financial woes.

Consultancy firm Interpath Advisory has been appointed administrator of Winnersh Film Studios Limited and its parent company Stage Fifty.

Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire was filmed partly at the studios.

Interpath said the companies will “continue to operate as usual” for the time being, with lenders saying they are “committed” to keeping the Berkshire-based studios running.

It is located in the Winnersh Triangle Business Park and already has two intact phases, with plans for another approved by Wokingham Borough Council last year.

But Interpath Advisory said the damaging impact of a writers and actors strike in the US last year caused cash flow problems.

This led finance company SCIO Capital, the studios' premier secured lender, to bring in administrators.

It is not yet known whether this move will affect the film studios' expansion plans, or whether operations will be scaled back.

SCIO Capital's Greg Branch said the investment firm wants to “stabilize” the business so it can “move forward.”

“We are fully committed to the 50th Stage model and its vision of creating high-quality, innovative spaces for television and film makers,” he said.

Other parts of the Stage Fifty group are not under administration and continue to trade as usual, Interpath Advisory said.

Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire is a 2024 American supernatural comedy film. It is the fifth film in the Ghostbusters series and stars some of the original cast members, including Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, and Dan Aykroyd.