London's movie boom

An average of 35 shoots took place in London every day last year, a 30 per cent increase on 2003. The total included more than 50 big-budget productions.

The multi- million- pound industry employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of nearly £10billion from movies, television and commercial and corporate films.

Tourism is also boosted with the capital's appearances in blockbusters such as The Da Vinci Code, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary.

However, the future success of London film- making is threatened by parking restrictions, bureaucracy and the congestion charge, warns the report by the London Assembly's economic development, sport, culture and tourism committee.

It accuses some town hall officials of being "more interested in red tape than video tape" and says film companies could be forced to look for cheaper, more convenient locations. A day's filming by a major company is estimated to be worth up to £450,000 to the London economy through wages, taxes, food and parking.

"Location filming is a difficult business and particularly so in a busy and crowded city," says the report. "Film crews, performersand their vehicles, support-facilities and equipment need to be at or near the location, which can conflict with everyday use of space such as traffic and parking.

"Film-makers have told us that some local officials are very helpful but others are obstructive. This leads producers to favour 'helpful' boroughs as locations.

"However, the capacity of given locations is limited and London as a whole will benefit if more authorities take the attitude-that filming is good for a place and make special efforts to facilitate it." The committee singles out Southwark, which helps film crews find suitable parking at short notice, for praise. By comparison, Westminster and Islington require a notice period of 10 days to park in their streets.

The committee received evidence that the congestion charge deters some film-makers, particularly low-budget producers, from using central London as a location and it urges Transport for London to make payment of the charge easier for those with a large fleet of vehicles.

Committee chairwoman Dee Doocey said: "The film industry is very important to the capital and local authorities should do all they can to reap the economic and cultural benefits it brings.

"We can't just sit back and assume that because we've got iconic locations companies will automatically come here. London is up against it because there are cheaper places to film. Film-making is an opportunityfor London's culture, image and economy. The industry cannot be allowed to wither slowly through neglect."

The report says the London industry has been boosted by tax credits introduced by Chancellor Gordon Brown last year, which offer a 16 to 20 per cent discount to British and lowbudget films.

The credits followed the scrapping of tax breaks for filmmakers, which the industry blamed for a fall in the number of productions in Britain.

Lights, camera, action... capital's top 10 locations

1. London Eye: Hustle, The Apprentice, Woody Allen's untitled summer project

2. Albert Embankment: Blood Diamond, Holiday, Dr Who

3. Battersea Park: Broken Thread, The English Harem, The Bill

4. Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: Stormbreaker, Scoop

5. Trafalgar Square: Love And Other Disasters, Life And Lyrics

6. Farmiloe Building, Islington: Spooks, Penelope

7= Millennium Bridge: History of Modern Britain, Body Watching

7= Victoria Embankment: Children Of Men, The Da Vinci Code

9. St James's Park: Children Of Men, EastEnders

10. Richmond Park: Springwatch, The Power Of Art