It is exciting to create an idea that will become a film and then to choose the Director, the actors, the locations and so on.  It is this creative work that drives the film and TV industries.

The less glamorous side of this business is the storage of the props used and their ultimate disposal.  The “rear end” of the business.  These phases may not capture the imagination of the creative people, but are extremely important.  This is something that we at Henden Manor Estates have recognised since we started offering high end storage services in 2021.

The props may need to be used for a reshoot and so need to be in good condition.  It follows that they should be handled with care and stored in good, clean facilities, which can be accessed 24/7 by teams and all types of vehicles from vans to large articulated trucks.

The production may be a success on screening and so merit a further series.  Under this scenario the props required will also need to be in good condition and accessible.

If there is to be no further series the props will go for disposal.  Here there is often significant waste, much of which could be avoided.  Some props could be used by another film, be sold or given to charity.  Other props will end up in skips, but in this regulated and image important world it is vital to tick all of the required ESG boxes.  So, one will need skips such as those for metal, wood, plasterboard, glass and general mixed waste.

At Henden we are totally focused on this rear end business and recognise the value of props.

We have been storing film and TV props since 2021.  We offer secure, high quality private storage for the whole range of props from stage props to wardrobe.  Clients have been predominantly major streaming companies, but some independent production companies have used Henden’s facilities as well.

Henden’s storage facilities lie in the centre of a well-financed, privately owned 500 acre estate.  Since Tudor times the estate has been owned by the Earl of Warwick the Kingmaker, King Henry VIII, Thomas and then Mary Boleyn and Sir John Gresham.  Last century it was rented by Sir Michael Balcon, the film producer who brought the Ealing Studios to prominence and where he entertained many times Alfred Hitchcock, a close friend.  We bought the estate in 1997 and have maintained it to a high standard in all aspects.

Our estate lies in good proximity to the studios close to London.  The facilities, which were repurposed in 2021, lie in a secure area closely monitored by 16 state-of-the-art CCTV cameras.  The site is managed by an experienced team, who offer the discretion required for the productions, which can include high value and sensitive items.  The team also manages or supports the efficient disposal of the props in a manner that ticks all of the boxes required by the client and Government regulations, a highly important condition today.  Our practice here as in all we do follows out long standing ethos:  if you are going to do something do it well.

To summarise:

  • The high quality storage facilities for film & TV props offer 81,328 sq.ft of storage space, of which 58,062 sq.ft is covered.  The uncovered area is good for storing shipping containers;

  • To date, Henden has stored props for 20 productions, consistently receiving good reviews. Space used by individual productions has ranged from 35,000 sq.ft to 1,200 sq.ft.;

  • Productions have been sourced regularly to major streaming companies, through to independents;

  • Henden is located near Sevenoaks, 15 minutes from the M25/A21 junction and offers easy access for up to the largest of articulated trucks onto the site and into the barns;

  • The facilities lie in a secure low profile, fenced and gated area with 16 high-end closely monitored CCTV cameras as well as fire alarms and hi-speed Wi-Fi;

  • The barns have been proven to be well insulated and dry through all weathers.  They are clean and tidy and are good for all types of props from stage props through to high value/sensitive wardrobe;

  • While the barns are not temperature-controlled, their temperatures are monitored constantly.  This year, for example, when the outside temperature was above 34C inside the main barns temperatures was 24C;

  • There is an onsite office for teams using Henden, offering hi-speed Wi-Fi, kitchens and restrooms;

  • If required, Henden can arrange trucks to move props to and from Henden;

  • Henden can manage the disposal of props, following the wishes of the client and in a way that is fully compliant with all ESG requirements and regulations;

  • Access to Henden is controlled, but the team can handle short notice and offer access 24/7.

If you have interest in using Henden’s facilities please contact us as below. We always recommend a site visit as experience has shown that visitors find it helpful.

Martin Lovegrove lovegrovem@hendenmanor.com +44 (0) 7802 215 984

Suzanne Smith info@hendenmanor.com +44 (0) 1732 750 758