CAMERAS were rolling in the County Town today as filming began for a new Channel Four TV drama.

Hollywood star Timothy Spall was spotted filming takes in Poundbury’s Buttermarket Square for a ten part-series called 'Electric Dream', inspired by the short stories of science fiction novelist Philip K Dick.

The BAFTA award-winning actor, of Harry Potter and The King’s Speech fame, will be starring the first episode 'The Commuter'.

Spall reportedly stars as a train employee, who becomes alarmed to discover daily commuters taking the train to a town that should not exist.

Manager of Buttermarket Stores Adriana Dobra said: "It’s all very exciting, the film crew have been in and decorated the shop windows with a chocolate display, and they have all been really nice. I think it’s good for Poundbury, we have been really busy."

However not all Buttermarket business owners are happy about the production raising concerns about the lack of consultation from The Duchy of Cornwall and the potential loss of takings from disruption around the square.

Geoff Cooper, business partner at Magpie gift shop, said: "We received a hand delivered letter from the production company Left Bank.

"We were told that Buttermarket would be closed to traffic and there would be control over pedestrian traffic. Then we received another letter saying we would have to black out our window and signage for legal reasons."

Shop owner Stephanie Cooper said: "The run up to Mother’s Day is usually the busiest time of year. You don’t mess around with people’s livelihoods.

"We’ve only had eight customers today and takings have been negligible. I don’t appreciate my business having to subsidise them, it is completely out of order."

The square itself was bustling with activity as Spall was spotted walking down the road surrounded by extras in bright costumes.

Poundbury resident and proprietor of Christabel's Linens Julie Hebblethwaite said: "It’s lovely to see some colour and life in the square, it’s just great to see what goes on on a film set. My takings are not going to be down at all, customers have still been able to come, and those that haven’t have called and are coming another day."

Left Bank Pictures, the production company behind hit Netflix series The Crown and BBC One drama The Replacement, will be filming the production for three days.

Yesterday was the first of two days in Buttermarket before crews head over to nearby Holmead Walk for further filming on Wednesday.

A Member of the Left Bank production team told the Echo: "In terms of Poundbury, we are excited to film in an amazing location with this really interesting history. Poundbury was chosen for filming because it is quite distinctive looking and we needed something picturesque like that for the story."

The Duchy of Cornwall said a ‘major production’ is good news for the estate.

A Spokesperson said: "The Duchy of Cornwall has worked closely with Left Bank Productions to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and ensure it is business as usual for people in Poundbury.

“The Duchy has worked with them and the estate management company representatives to ensure there are no negative impacts and businesses in and around the square can continue as usual.

“Residents and shop owners were informed by a letter sent out by the production company in February. In terms of moving forward The Duchy are considering how best to invest any fee for improving the Buttermarket area.”

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