Waterloo Rd moves from Rochdale to Inverclyde

THE television drama series Waterloo Road is to be based in Greenock after six years set in a Lancashire town.

The move will see the programme’s stars take up residence in the classrooms of the former Greenock Academy building.

Currently filming its seventh series, the popular school-based programme is moving north as part of the BBC’s drive to increase network programming from Scotland and other UK regions.

About 200 jobs and £25 million in direct investment will also be generated by relocating to the town.

TV company Shed Productions, which makes the series, reached agreement with Inverclyde Council to lease the Madeira Street building to film an initial 50 one-hour episodes over two years.

Eileen Gallagher, Shed’s chief executive officer, said: “Waterloo Road has had an incredibly happy six years in Roch-dale working with one of the best TV crews in the country.

“But we have outgrown our present site and we couldn’t resist the BBC offer to take the show to Scotland.

“The former Greenock Academy school will make a great Waterloo Road and the stunning scenery in and around Greenock will be a fantastic asset right on our doorstep.”

“We’re really looking forward to coming to Greenock and already we’ve had a terrific welcome.”

Work is expected to start as early as next month before set design and construction gets under way in January in time for filming beginning in April next year.