Investor group buys out Maidstone.

The group, Dovedale Associates, is headed by ex-BBC producer Geoff Miles, who, explaining why they bought the company, said: 'We simply recognised an opportunity to develop and expand what is already a first class facility.' Exact plans for the expansion are yet to be decided.The all-cash deal, finalised late last week, covers Maidstone's three studios and its post-production and other services. The buyout was independently financed and there will be no major change in direction for the business.A spokesman for Maidstone Studios said: 'There will be no immediate impact on our customers. We are in the early stages of discussing future expansion but it's very early days.'All 26 jobs at Maidstone are now safe.Telewest subsidiary TVS Television previously owned Maidstone Studios.The spokesman for Maidstone said Flextech, a division of Telewest, will remain a big customer of the studio.Maidstone Studios has been making shows for 20 years. Recent credits include Art Attack and Basil Brush. The existing playout centre on the same site, which has been up for sale for some time, is still open to offers. It is currently home to three northern European broadcasters.