EastEnders is quitting its 16-acre studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, after more than 20 years.
The long-running BBC soap is in talks with Pinewood Shepperton to take around 200,000 sq ft within a proposed 1m sq ft extension at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
Chris Kane, head of BBC Workplace, the corporation’s property division, confirmed that it was considering Pinewood Studios as a new home for EastEnders, as part of its drive to improve outdated sets for high-definition digital television, but said that no decision would be made until the end of the year.
He said: “We are evaluating a raft of options for all our major sites before making conclusions in December, and that includes locations at Elstree,
The letting to EastEnders will be a coup for Pinewood Shepperton, which last year teamed up with Morley Fund Management to bring forward the redevelopment of its studios. The company is also understood to be in advanced discussions with two media firms, including digital producer Avid, to prelet around 100,000 sq ft of offices within the extension.
The relocation is part of the BBC’s rationalisation of its 7m sq ft property portfolio. Last month, the corporation announced plans to sell Television Centre in
DTZ is advising Pinewood Shepperton; Lambert Smith Hampton acts for the BBC.
