A new television sitcom based in Weston-super-Mare is
about to be aired.
The Cafe is set (in and around a cafe!) in the town, acting as
the social hub and sees all walks of life pass through.
The first two episodes are due to be screened on Sky1 on
Wednesday 23 November, and then weekly until 21 December.
Cllr Felicity Baker, executive member whose portfolio includes
tourism, said that even before the screening there has been
an economic benefit to the area.
"Filming took place over a six-week period and generated
interest in itself. The actors and crew stayed locally, some
equipment was hired from local firms and the caterers bought food
in the town. We believe they pumped over £70,000 into the local
economy and that's before we get the benefits that seeing the
show on tv should bring."
Much of the location filming took place on Weston's seafront
near to Knightstone Island and the cafe set was in place during
those six weeks.
"We are seen as a film-friendly location and our officers work
really hard to accommodate the film makers' requests. As well as
The Cafe two BBC1 drama series Inside Men and Public Enemies,
together with Channel 5 Paul Merton's Escapes and ITV This Morning,
have all filmed in the area this year. And don't forget that 2011
saw the biggest 'T4 on the beach' with 50,000 people coming to the
event.
"All this helps promote Weston and indeed North Somerset as a
tourist destination and is just one way we are working to make sure
that people from far and wide are aware of what the area has to
offer," added Cllr Baker.
You can watch a clip of the new show The Cafe at
http://sky1.sky.com/sky1hd-shows/the-cafe
