As Twickenham Studios approaches its centenary, and the man who saved the studios in 2012, Sunny Vohra, talks about the past year and the future.

This time last year Twickenham Studios had just been saved by film fanatic Mr Vohra, who took on the site after being outraged the British film gem may be lost forever.

In February 2012 it was announced the studios were set to close and be sold off, potentially for residential development.

Outcries came from across the borough, country and even from across the pond, prompting St Margarets resident Maria Walker to set up a campaign to save the studios.

Steven Spielberg, Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen all recorded messages of support and were among more than 4,000 people to sign the Save Twickenham Film Studios (STFS) petition.

Fast forward 17 months and the two main theatres now have state-of-the-art technology, Ms Walker is chief operating officer and work to rejuvenate the office buildings is in full swing.

Nearly £1.5m has been spent on capital expenditure and about £0.5m on continuing operational losses. Mr Vohra said: “The changes are being talked about in the market place and in the local community and this bodes well for the future. We started with 11 people employed by the studio in August 2012.

“Today we employ 25 directly and another 30 indirectly. In addition, the productions bring lots of people to the area which has a positive effect on the local economy. Exactly how I feel? I will tell you that next year, depending on results over the next 12 months.

“Unfortunately, the place has been neglected very badly by the previous owners and management.

“There are innumerate unforeseen situations arising that all need to be dealt with. It would also help if some people changed their attitude to the work ethic.

“The place has been saved and jobs saved and more created but some think that it is their right to jobs for life without actually working for it.

“The plan is to turn the studios into a place for the creative arts industry. This will include anything to do with films, television, games, media, design, and any other ancillary activities that are part and parcel of such businesses. We will need all the help from all local and national government bodies in our quest.”

As part of the centenary plans there will be a Twickenham Studios exhibition at Riverside Gallery in Richmond from August 3 to September 21.

For more information on the studios, visit twickenhamstudios.com.