Louise Read, Film Office Manager

Posted on 6 Oct 2025

Meet Louise Read, Rochdale’s first Film Office Manager at the RDA. With a career spanning 30 years in film and TV, from Harry Potter and James Bond, Louise is now helping to put Rochdale on the map as a filming destination.

Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Louise Read, and I’ve spent around 30 years working as a location manager and location scout in film and television. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of productions, including the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises, as well as It’s a Sin and Peaky Blinders.
I actually started out as a photographer, working in London with high-profile clients in advertising, music and media. That experience helped me develop a strong visual awareness and an understanding of how directors bring their ideas to life, this background led me into location scouting. Alongside my production work, I’ve continued to teach film, TV, and media in schools, colleges and universities, and to support young people hoping to build careers in the industry.

What is your role with the RDA?

I’m the Film Office Manager for Rochdale, helping to establish the borough as a filming destination and ensuring productions run smoothly while benefiting the community.

In a nutshell, my role involves:

• Supporting production companies with advice, permits and practical guidance.
• Showcasing Rochdale’s locations, from historic buildings to countryside and industrial sites.
• Acting as a bridge between the industry and the community, coordinating with residents, businesses and the council.
• Promoting Rochdale as part of Greater Manchester’s creative economy.
• Creating opportunities for local people, including pathways for young talent and encouraging residents to register their properties as filming locations.

It’s about more than film shoots, it’s part of a wider ambition to raise Rochdale’s profile, support regeneration, and connect the borough to one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries.

Why did you choose to work with the RDA?

I was excited by the chance to help establish a dedicated film office for Rochdale and to showcase what the borough has to offer. The RDA’s focus on culture, heritage and placemaking really appealed to me, it’s not just about regeneration in the physical sense, but about creating opportunities for communities and celebrating what makes Rochdale unique.

What projects do you work on?

Day-to-day, I work with production companies filming everything from TV dramas to adverts and feature films. That includes scouting out locations, liaising with residents and businesses, and making sure productions run smoothly.

I’m also developing opportunities for local people and young talent, from encouraging businesses and residents to register their properties as potential filming locations, to helping young people gain placements and experience in the industry.

What do you really enjoy about your profession?

I love the variety, one day I might be meeting a business owner in a converted mill, the next exploring countryside valleys, or working with a major film crew at Rochdale Town Hall. Every conversation and every project brings something new.

I also enjoy seeing how filming can shine a light on places people may not have appreciated or even know exist in Rochdale before. It’s rewarding to help create those connections.

What makes you get up in the morning?

For me, it’s about raising the profile of Rochdale. The borough has so much to offer, from stunning landscapes and rich heritage to a wealth of creative talent. Through Rochdale Film Office, we have the chance to showcase all of this to audiences worldwide, celebrating Rochdale as a place full of character, opportunity and potential.

I’m also motivated by creating pathways for young people into the creative industries. I know how daunting it can feel to start out, and I want to make those opportunities more visible and accessible.

Tell me something people don’t know about you

My mum worked in Rochdale for over 20 years as a nurse, health visitor and community leader. She was loved and respected in the community, and I remember going to meet her for lunch in the town, where she seemed to know everyone, there is something special about Rochdale. That connection makes my role here feel personal, like I’m carrying on her legacy by helping to bring something positive to Rochdale today.