CAMA AssetStore, a Southend based storage company, has established itself as one of Essex’s standout partners for film and TV. Family run and with over 100 years of experience in the industry, CAMA is a trusted and sustainability driven leader in entertainment storage. Their location in Essex offers a perfect balance of services, situating them close enough to London’s major studios, while remaining rooted in a vibrant local community that’s becoming increasingly attractive for filmmakers.
CAMA works closely with both independent creatives and larger production teams, supporting titles including Doctor Who, Slow Horses and most recently, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. CAMA was responsible for storing and tracking many of Downton Abbey’s iconic costumes, props and set pieces, safeguarding and preserving their legacy. Using their asset management platform AssetFlow, they tracked each item, ensuring distinctive pieces of design were monitored after wrap.*
High security, climate control and photographic records ensure that assets are ready for the next stage of their journey – whether that be exhibition, use in a new production or auction. In fact, many of the Downton Abbey pieces that CAMA were responsible for safeguarding were later sold at Bonhams auction, where all proceeds went towards Together for Short Lives, a UK charity supporting children and families facing life limiting conditions.*
A defining part of CAMA’s mission is its commitment to sustainable and responsible practices across the film and television sector. Their flagship warehouse in Southend-on-Sea is powered by clean energy, and, through their AssetCycle software they have collaborated with over 150 UK charities and social enterprises, ensuring items are repurposed to benefit local communities. By developing regional hubs in key locations such as Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool CAMA is strengthening production ecosystems across the UK, supporting regional businesses in Essex and beyond.
Did you know?
Downton Abbey: A New Era features several filming locations in Essex including the elegant Belchamp Hall in Belchamp Walter, where Tom Branson and Lucy Smith’s wedding was shot. The beautifully preserved Electric Palace Cinema and nearby King’s Quay Street in Harwich were also transformed into 1920’s sets, with the town’s waterfront providing a charming backdrop for the film.
Learn more about these locations here.
*Read more about how CAMA supported Downton Abbey’s costume and prop auction here: https://cama.co.uk/proudly-supporting-downton-abbeys-legacy-with-robust-asset-storage-and-tracking/
