BBC Studios and Post Production (BBC S&PP) is poised to make up to 50 staff redundant as it prepares for life beyond Television Centre.

The commercial subsidiary of the BBC, which employs some 200 people, said staffing levels would be reduced by 20-25% across its studios and business support divisions.

In August, BBC S&PP announced its temporary move to BBC Elstree and Elstree Studios from early 2013 until 2015 while Television Centre, where it is currently based, is redeveloped.

Anna Mallett, who took over as chief executive earlier this month, said the cuts were a necessary part of the relocation process.

She said: “The biggest impact is understandably felt in the studios division as the number of studios we will offer at Elstree will be reduced from the level we currently provide at TVC.”

BBC S&PP runs six of the 12 studios at Television Centre, the largest of which is 10,250 sq ft. Between the two Elstree sites it will be able to offer productions the use of BBC Elstree’s 11,200 sq ft Studio D, Elstree Studios’ Stages 8 and 9 at 7,500 sq ft each and its 15,600 sq ft George Lucas Stage.

“The company remains committed to providing its customers with the same level of expert technical, creative and project management services that they have come to expect, and the staff restructure will ensure that the business remains solid following our relocation exercises,” added Mallett.

BBC S&PP said EastEnders, which is made at BBC Elstree, would not be affected by the cuts.

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