Company which built sets for Game of Thrones auctions off props after pandemic forces closure

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

3D Creations in Gorleston, which has built sets and props for Game of Thrones, Pirates of the Caribbean and the London West End, has had to close to avoid bankruptcy.

Now, owner Ian Westbrook is preparing to auctioning off his entire creative repertoire.

He says “everything will be on offer” - from Daenerys’ dragon eggs to wigs, pirate leather hides, graphic design tablets and even industrial microwaves.

Founding the company in 1985, his highly-skilled team “live and breathe theatre and film”, and has catered for local as well as international venues, such as the Hippodrome circus and end-of-the-pier show at Cromer.

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

They have also built arena sets for bands such as Iron Maiden, the Spice Girls and Blur.

This year, they were due to be working on a film commission worth £1m at Pinewood Studios.

The film, “Miracle at the Inn,” would have been a remake of Bing Cosby’s White Christmas, featuring stars such as Barbra Streisand and Dolly Parton.

Mr Westbrook said: “The film and every other thing I was due to be working on this year has been cancelled.

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

“2020 was supposed to be our best year yet, but coronavirus made it our worst.“I worked out I could keep the company afloat until Christmas, but with overheads at around £30,000 a month it made more sense to quit while we’re behind.

“I closed the company in June and paid off my 10 full-time employees. The design part of the business will continue to operate from my office in Gorleston with just me and one other associate. But sadly, the set-building side of things cannot go on.”

For Mr Westbrook, then, the auction will be bittersweet.

He said: “I’m saddened because I wanted to be in this job for the next 10 years at least.

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

“The theatre is such a spider’s web. It’s not just about the buildings or the performers. When a theatre shuts down, so do the light companies, the sound companies, the set-designers. It’s heartbreaking.

“Most theatres need to run at 75pc capacity to make profit - and this was never going to be feasible under social distancing rules.”

The auction will go live until 3pm on August 26.

You can bid online via this link, or head along to 3D Creations Gorleston studio in person between 9am-4pm weekdays.

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Mr Westbrook can be contacted to arrange a viewing on 07860 707287.

• A version of this story which went into the printed newspaper included a headline which said 3D Creations was going bust. This was incorrect and we apologise for the error.

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Iron Maiden's Eddie hands which are in the auction selling props, sets and equipment as 3D Creations Limited at Gorleston closes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)