It is always a tense moment when you see the trailer of the new series of your favourite show and you see a shot of a hospital waiting room. We have all the props you would need to create these suspenseful shots!
We’ve recently been taking stock of our consumables shop here at Stockyard North. We’ve built-up a rather large collection of shatter glass and breakaway bottles.
Our shatter glass is available for last-minute stunt requests in the North West. Before you pay an extortionate amount for a courier to collect it from down south – it’s always worth picking up the phone and giving us a call. We may just have the breakaway items you’ve been searching for.
It’s A Sin/Channel 4
Police Station/Office Dressing
It is no secret that the British television industry has produced some of the best and most compelling police dramas around.
With the rise in popularity of these shows, it comes as no surprise that our office prop and furniture collection is in demand. Spanning the 1980’s – present day, our office furniture and office smalls sections are some of our most widely propped areas. Some of the most dramatic and suspenseful crime storylines are often centred around the backdrop of a bustling police bullpen.
We thought we’d kick off the new year with some helpful blog posts to help you dress your set in 2025 and beyond.
We’re hoping to create a useful and informative guide for the art department community, which explores our prop collection in-depth. We want to give you a detailed view of some of the items available for hire at Stockyard North, and how they can benefit your set.
In this particular blog post we’ll be focusing on the canvas tarp, an unsung hero in TV and film production. They have a plethora of uses on set and can play a vital role in all kinds of productions.
All Creatures Great And Small – BBC
We’ve been busy bees here at Stockyard North over the past month or so.
Our team have been working diligently preparing to launch our new catalogue of props for weddings and events.
Do you have a special day lined-up that you require props for? We have a huge selection of beautiful props for hire – to include in your wedding, birthday or any other event that requires that little something extra.
Summer is an extremely busy period for the screen industries in the north, and with a fresh flock of recent graduates to boot, we thought it was a good time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive.
So, what exactly is a prop house?
Essentially, we are a big warehouse full of the set dressing that you see behind actors on TV. People who work in TV, film, advertising, and theatre come to us to hire items to make their sets look amazing. We’ve have thousands items from a range of eras, decades and places – including Victorian era props, American street dressing, modern furniture and everything in between!
Who can hire props?
Whether you are a production designer, petty cash buyer, event planner, student filmmaker, or overworked drama teacher put in charge of the school’s most recent production of Oliver, we’ve got you covered.
How does it work?
It’s simple, give us a call or drop us an email with your brief. Even better come down to our site, have a cuppa in the office with the team, and get the full VIP tour of the prop house. While you are here, we will run through the pricing, and prop options and organise the paperwork for you.
However, we know many just can’t make it to us. Production life is relentless and often remote, we get it. We don’t mind sending over details photos, dimensions, and quotes and we will do this as fast as we can.
Why can’t I see the prices on the website/in the prop house?
We honestly aren’t trying to be coy, but our prices are dependent on the duration of hire. For instance, the same chair could cost you £20 or £100 depending on how long you would like to hire it for. We will work personally on each quote to give you all the information you need for your individual production needs.
Do you have cleared artwork?
For anyone who has been lost in our galleried hallways you know we have an extensive collection of artwork for hire. This artwork is cleared for screen use and we can provide clearance letters upon request.
Can we buy the props?
We have been known to have a yard sale or two so it’s worth keeping an eye on our socials if you are interested in purchasing a piece of prop heaven for yourself.
I want to hire props for my wedding/party/company event/ prom…..
We do hire to the general public, and we are more than happy to help make your event look unique. We would recommend visiting us if you haven’t before, this will help to get a feel of what we have to offer and enable us to talk you through the hiring process in a little more detail.
Do you do any discounts?
We offer a discount to students shooting their films and/or projects. We also offer ten days of hire for the price of seven to theatres.
Will you deliver my props?
In a word, no, BUT we know who can. We have long-standing relationships with the best industry specialists in transporting props and scenery and can set up introductions to ensure your production has everything it needs logistically.
If you aren’t in the screen industry and need something a little smaller scale, we can provide you with the details of trusted smaller-scale couriers.
My production is running again next year and I need to store the set, can you help?
We absolutely can. We have specialist scenery storage facilities and can help with the transport logistics. Call the team today for more info and a quote.
I have items that I want to sell, do you buy props?
Our props are sourced in a variety of ways and if there is something we need we will buy from private sellers, online auctions, and productions. We love seeing items that people have to sell and we are absolute geeks when it comes to hearing the stories behind them however, we only have so much room (much to our annoyance) so we do have to be discerning when it comes to buying.
I would love to work at SN, how do I become part of the team?
We are a small team and permanent vacancies are rare, however, we often have freelancers in during busy periods or to cover annual leave. If this is something you would be interested in then contact the team mail@stockyardnorth.com or pop in for a chat.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics nearly upon us, we have seen a huge demand for sporting props.
Our collection boasts vintage gymnasium equipment including pommel horses, trampolines, exercise bikes, goal posts, and punch bags. To complement these bigger pieces our smalls include boxing gloves, weights, rackets of all kinds, helmets, surfboards, skateboards, and horse riding accoutrement. We also have a selection of trophies, rosettes, and sport-themed wall art.
If you have something in mind that you can’t find on our website then just let us know and we will do all we can to get you the winning props!
contact us today.
Very occasionally we get a phone call in the office that stops us in our tracks and the phone call we received from Trudy Turnbull in June of this year did just that.
Whilst watching channel four’s ‘The Gathering’ with her husband, Trudy noticed a billboard in one of the scenes. It was a 1930s variety show billboard, and it contained her father’s name, Ike Freedman. Unable to believe her eyes, Trudy contacted the production company, World Productions and they told her the billboard was a hired prop from Stockyard North.
When Trudy spoke to us she told the story of spotting her dear father’s name on one of our billboards and we were thrilled to reunite her with a piece of her family history.
Ike Freedman was born Issac Soloman in 1895 in Wigan and though the family had no connection to the stage, he made a successful career as a variety performer. Ike travelled around the world with his act however, he was a regular performer at The Princess Theatre in Glasgow. The variety billboard owned by Stockyard North was from this theatre and has made many appearances on the silver screen during its time as one of our props.
We are grateful to Trudy and her Husband Alex for sharing their family connection. It is amazing to remember the value, stories, and history found in the props held within these walls. It makes the props all the more interesting and preserving them all the more important.
If you have any questions about any of our props please don’t hesitate to contact us.
On-trend props for photoshoots, commercials, and content creators.
Whilst TV dramas and films certainly do keep us busy here at Stockyard North we don’t stop there!
Our props feature heavily in ad campaigns, music videos, fashion events, and social media marketing to name a few. Most recently we have seen some of our vintage books on the Lagavulin Commercial and our retro gym equipment was hired in the new Aldi Print campaign.
In the past year, we have also hired to the Chanel Metiers d’art Show, Amazon commercials and social media content for both Ballet Contour and musician Seb Lowe to name a few!
Photo credits: Seb Lowe Music, Ballet Contours and Lagavulin Whiskey.
2024 Prop Hire Trends.
We stay on top of industry and style trends to ensure we have a variety of smalls, softs, and furniture to cater to all mediums. This year we continue to work alongside many talented designers and buyers whose prop-picks have highlighted the burgeoning trends in interior design.
In particular, we love Quiet Luxury and Statement Stoneware. Our vast array of ceramics, stoneware, and domestic smalls often add the perfect understated hero piece to a photo shoot. Our haberdashery also contains a wealth of textured fabrics in muted tones. These stylish props cater to the ‘paired-back chic’ aesthetic we are seeing in both interiors and fashion right now.
Another popular trend we are seeing is the unification of old and new styles. Not only does this trend perfectly encapsulate our belief in breathing life into historic pieces, but it also reflects our sustainability ethos here at Stockyard North. Our prop house is full to the brim with unique vintage pieces, from gilt mirrors to cabinets, door furniture to lighting and beyond, and we can’t get enough of this sustainable trend.
Finally, as the spring turns to summer we are seeing a seasonal resurgence of biophilic design. This trend fosters a stronger connection to nature and reduces the barrier between internal and external spaces by utilising natural materials and uplifting prints. Some of our favourite examples of this trend include our vintage bamboo units, faux greenery and rattan lamp shades.
Whichever style you are seeking, we truly have props to hire to suit every trend and any medium.
Shopping the trend.
We offer a flexible approach to propping as we fully understand the demands placed on productions.
So if you can’t make it to see us, just contact us online or call us on 0161 872 9206 to discuss your unique brief.
Otherwise come to visit our large prop house, have a cup of tea and discuss your vision with our friendly team who are always on hand to assist. We look forward to working with you.
Discover an extensive array of prison-themed props in our collection, featuring the latest additions including beds, sinks, and toilets. Enhance your set with an assortment of smaller items like cigarettes, games, photographs, and books, providing authenticity and a personal touch to your scenes.
We know a police drama is hugely popular up North right now, so why not familiarise yourself with what we have to offer in this department!
Feel free to contact us for more information or pop in to have a look around for yourself!
