Work is set to begin on an internationally acclaimed attraction in Cardiff Bay.
On Wednesday a ground breaking ceremony will take place at a site in Porth Teigr which will be the new home for the Doctor Who Experience when it relocates from London’s Olympia in 2012.
Working closely in partnership with BBC Worldwide, Welsh Government and igloo, the Council is to build a 3000 sq metre building in Porth Teigr that will become the new home for the Doctor Who Experience.
The exhibition will be next door to the BBC’s new Roath Lock Studios where it’s planned that Doctor Who will be filmed from next year. Cardiff Council will be constructing a brand new building for the Doctor Who Experience which will then be operated by BBC Worldwide.
The Doctor Who Experience allows visitors to join the Doctor on a journey through time and space, combining a walk-through immersive adventure with the largest exhibition ever assembled of sets, props and memorabilia from the series. It has been described by reviewers as “exhilarating”, “awe-inspiring” and “the hottest ticket in the Universe”.
BBC Worldwide announced in September 2010 that it intended to relocate the attraction to Cardiff during 2012, following consolidation of its previous Doctor Who exhibitions, including the closure of the former Doctor Who Exhibition in Cardiff’s Red Dragon Centre in March 2011.
The already award-winning Experience boasts an array of incredible special effects, brand new filmed footage from Matt Smith, a recreation of the modern TARDIS and a breathtaking 3D finale. The exhibition element includes items never publicly displayed before including original costumes, a full scale recreation of two iconic TARDIS sets from the eras of David Tennant and Peter Davison, and numerous monsters including several generations of the Daleks, Cybermen, Silurians, Ice Warriors, Zygons and the gigantic K-I robot.
The Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Rodney Berman, who will be cutting the first sod at the ground breaking ceremony, said: “I am delighted that the Council has managed to bring the Doctor Who Experience to Cardiff and in digging the first piece of earth we will be marking the start of the work on this fantastic new attraction.
“In just a few short years since its relaunch in 2005, Doctor Who has rapidly become an institution in Cardiff and has really helped boost the profile of the city both nationally and internationally. I know that fans of the show are greatly looking forward to being able to visit the Doctor Who Experience right next door to where the series is filmed.”
He added: “This attraction is set to bring millions of pounds into the city’s economy, and the benefits to Cardiff will be immense in terms of tourism.”
Philip Murphy, Managing Director for Live Events at BBC Worldwide said: “The Doctor Who Experience has been enormously popular. We’re very excited about continuing to develop the Experience in a long-term home in a purpose-built environment at Porth Teigr.”
Hoong Wey Woon, igloo’s Fund Manager said: “This is the latest milestone in igloo’s successful Porth Teigr development. It will further enhance the growing attraction of the location for occupiers of all types especially the creative industries.”
Business Minister Edwina Hart said: “Having the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff will not only attract more tourists to Cardiff but will also further enhance the growing reputation Wales has for the Creative Industries. I hope this development will now attract more companies to our proposed Centre for Creative Industries at Porth Teigr.“
