View source for Gullane Entertainment

{{Short description|Defunct British independent production company}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Gullane Entertainment Limited
| logo = Gullane Entertainment.svg
| logo_size = 230
| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Burginhall 126 Limited {{small|(1987)}}|The Britt Allcroft Company PLC {{small|(1987-2000)}}|Gullane Entertainment PLC {{small|(2000-2002)}}}}<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02120124|title=Gullane Entertainment Limited – Overview|website=[[Companies House]]|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>
| type = In-name-only unit of [[Mattel]]
| fate = Acquired and folded into [[HIT Entertainment]]{{efn|While folded, the "Gullane Entertainment" company itself still functions as a dormant subsidiary.}}
| successor = [[HIT Entertainment]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1979}}{{efn|The predecessor company, Britt Allcroft Railway Limited, or Britt Allcroft Limited, was founded in 1979. This company is now known as '''Gullane (Thomas) Limited'''}}<ref name    = "auto"/>
| defunct = {{end date and age|2002|10|21|df=yes}}
| founder = Britt Allcroft<br>Angus Wright
| industry = [[Entertainment]], children's Programming
| products = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Thomas & Friends]]''
* ''[[Art Attack]]''
* ''[[Sooty]]''
* ''[[Fireman Sam]]''
* ''[[Guinness World Records]]''
* ''[[Captain Pugwash]]''
* ''[[Magic Adventures of Mumfie]]''
* ''[[James the Cat]]''
}}
| divisions = {{plainlist|
* Gullane Children's Books Ltd
* Gullane (Development) Ltd
* Gullane (Licensing) Ltd
* Gullane (Thomas) Ltd
* [[Thomas and the Magic Railroad|The Magic Railroad Company Ltd]]
}}
| subsid = {{plainlist|
* [[CCI Entertainment]] (stake)
* Bridgefilms/Sooty Limited (joint venture with [[Sooty|Sooty International]])
* [[Guinness World Records]] Ltd
* The Media Merchants
* Prism Art & Design Ltd (joint venture with [[S4C|S4C International]])
}}
}}
'''Gullane Entertainment Limited''' was a British independent [[production company]] which produced children's programming, including ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'' (1984–2021), ''[[Shining Time Station]]'' (1989–1995), ''[[Magic Adventures of Mumfie|The Magic Adventures of Mumfie]]'' (1994–1998), ''[[Captain Pugwash]]'' (1950-2008), ''[[Art Attack]]'' (1990-2007), ''[[Sooty]]'' (1955-present) and ''[[Fireman Sam]]'' (1987-present). The company was purchased by [[HIT Entertainment]] in 2002, and went defunct within the same year. As of today, most of Gullane's library is currently owned by toy company [[Mattel]] as a result of their subsequent acquisition of HIT Entertainment.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=GULLANE ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED – Overview (Free Company Information from Companies House)|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02120124|access-date=2021-04-17|website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
===The Britt Allcroft Company===
The company produced the first five seasons of ''[[Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends]]'' as the Britt Allcroft Company Limited, after [[Britt Allcroft]] purchased the rights to ''[[The Railway Series]]'' in 1979.

In the late 1980's, the company formed Quality Family Entertainment an American subsidiary to produce an adapted version of the series, ''[[Shining Time Station]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1988-08-14 |title=TELEVISION; All Aboard for a Magical Mystery Ride (Published 1988) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/14/arts/television-all-aboard-for-a-magical-mystery-ride.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |last1=Lynch |first1=Kate }}</ref>

In 1994, the company announced a strategic international alliance with Canadian-based company Catalyst Entertainment, who previously co-produced ''[[Shining Time Station]]'' with TBAC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbackonline.ca/1994/07/04/3577-19940704/#ixzz73qgLq7l0|title = $10M alliance}}</ref>

In June 1997, the company announced they had purchased the rights to ''[[Captain Pugwash]]'' and would subsequently produce a new television series featuring the character.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 June 1997|title=Pugwash to Sail Again|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/pugwash-to-sail-again-1.85551|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Within the same year, the company entered into joint ventures to produce animated television series based on ''[[James the Cat]]'', ''[[Topsy and Tim]]'', and ''[[Little Hippo]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/thomas-the-tanks-new-head-of-steam-19980316-kb3nm | title=Thomas the Tank's new head of steam | date=16 March 1998 }}</ref> In November, the company formed a motion picture subsidiary (Gullane Pictures), to produce feature films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richmond |first=Ray |date=1997-11-12 |title=Guillane Hits U.S. |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/guillane-hits-u-s-1200324784/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1998, the company acquired the underlying rights to ''[[The Railway Series]]'' from [[Reed Elsevier]] for £13.5 million, thus giving the company full control of the ''[[Thomas & Friends (franchise)|Thomas the Tank Engine]]'' franchise.

In December 1999, the company acquired a 50% stake in ''[[Sooty]]'' from then-owner Sooty International Limited, forming a joint venture company called Bridgefilms (also known as Sooty Limited), which would also handle licensing rights to ''[[Magic Adventures of Mumfie]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 December 1999|title=Sooty Prepares to Sweep the World|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/573833.stm|access-date=5 April 2021|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2000-02-01|title=Britt Allcroft Picks up Sooty|url=https://kidscreen.com/2000/02/01/27978-20000201/|access-date=5 April 2021|website=Kidscreen.com}}</ref>

In March 2000, [[HIT Entertainment]] offered a $363 million bid to purchase the company,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/hit-offering-363-mil-for-britt-allcroft-1117776012/|title=HIT Offering $363 Mil for Britt Allcroft|first=Erich|last=Boehm|website=Variety.com|date=2 February 2000|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> alongside other interested companies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 January 2000|title=All Chuffed by Thomas Talks|url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5631012.all-chuffed-by-thomas-talks/|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[Southern Daily Echo]]}}</ref> In the same month, the company announced they had purchased The Media Merchants for £14 million, bringing ''[[Art Attack]]'' to their list of [[intellectual properties]] (IPs).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dawtrey|first=Adam|date=15 March 2000|title=Britt Allcroft to Buy Media|url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/britt-allcroft-to-buy-media-1117779535/|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

===Gullane Entertainment===
In September 2000, with the negative reception and box-office failure of ''[[Thomas and the Magic Railroad]]'', [[Britt Allcroft]] stepped down as the company's CEO, and under new leadership, the company announced they would be renamed Gullane Entertainment in order to expand and export their brands worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cassy|first=John|date=8 September 2000|title=Britt Allcroft Quits as Thomas Flops|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/sep/08/2|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Allcroft would however, remain as a creative consultant for the Thomas the Tank Engine franchise (which would be renamed ''[[Thomas & Friends (franchise)|Thomas & Friends]]'' within the same year) up until Season 7 in 2003.<ref name="Allcroft Leaves HIT">{{Cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/people/allcroft-leaves-hit/|title=Allcroft Leaves HIT|first=Ryan|last=Ball|website=Animation Magazine|date=21 May 2003|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>

Within the announcement of the name change came some new projects, including a new series of ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'', an online platform (''Planet Gullane''), a new series of ''Art Attack'' alongside the production of 238 episodes for the international market in a partnership with [[The Walt Disney Company]], a second series of ''[[Sooty Heights]]'' alongside the production of direct-to-video Sooty material and new seasons of ''Captain Pugwash'', ''ZZZAP!'' and ''It's a Mystery''. Gullane also announced production of a full series of ''Eckhart'' with Catalyst Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/britt-allcroft-co--gul-/rns/preliminary-results--etc/200009070739255663Q/|title = Investegate &#124;Britt Allcroft Co Announcements &#124; Britt Allcroft Co: Preliminary Results, etc}}</ref>

In October 2000, Gullane announced to set aside US$50 million to fund a year's worth of productions, including new Thomas-related projects and television movies (which never materialised), with one being a co-production with French company [[Tele Images Productions|Tele Images]] for [[Animal Planet]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kidscreen.com/2000/10/01/30135-20001001/ | title=Gullane Entertainment harnesses production arms for US$50-million output year |website=Kidscreen|first=Jocelyn|last=Longworth|date=October 1, 2000}}</ref>

In January 2001, Gullane announced they had purchased David & Charles Children's Books for £1.1 Million, putting two new franchises: ''Zippy Dinosaurs'' and ''Vroom Vroom'', into Gullane's properties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/jan/29/broadcasting.citynews|title=Gullane Buys David and Charles Kids' Arm for £1.1m|date=29 January 2001|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>

In March 2001, Gullane announced their profits for the last six months went up 80%. On the same day, the company announced they would produce 26 new episodes of ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'' for a Summer 2002 delivery, with a co-funding deal with a third party being allowed to coincide with the series' cost at a possible range of 78 new episodes by the next three years. On the same day, Gullane confirmed that ''Thomas and the Magic Railroad'' had been sold in over thirty countries worldwide, while Catalyst Entertainment delivered the first series of ''Eckhart'' and ''Longhouse Tales'' to the company. Earlier on, Gullane announced work on a 2D/3D animated co-production with Catalyst based on the fellow David & Charles book ''Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs'' called ''[[Harry and his Bucketful of Dinosaurs|Sammy and the Dinosaurs]]'' which the company would distribute worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kidscreen.com/2001/03/01/30772-20010301/|title=Kidscreen » Archive|website=Kidscreen|date=January 3, 2001}}</ref>

In July 2001, Gullane purchased ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' for £45.5 Million from their original owners [[Diageo]], although Gullane would continue to license the [[Guinness]] brand name from Diageo.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 July 2001|title=Gullane Buys Guinness Book of Records|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/gullane-buys-guinness-book-of-records-1.388878|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> By December 2001, the company planned to produce new GWR-themed programming at a young male demographic, and that the publishing division had merged with Dave & Charles Children's Books to form Gullane Publishing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/gullane-goes-for-the-world-record/|title = Gullane goes for the World Record|website=C21Media|first=Jenn|last=Kuzmyk|date=December 20, 2001}}</ref>

On 14 September 2001, Gullane signed a distribution deal with [[Tell-Tale Productions]] for the production of two new shows, called ''Ella'', and ''[[BB3B|Sprogs]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/two-new-toons-from-gullane-and-tell-tale/feed/|title = Two new toons from Gullane and Tell-Tale|first=Chris|last=Johnson|date=September 14, 2001}}</ref>

In November 2001, Gullane was reportedly in talks to buy the entertainment assets of Canadian company [[Cookie Jar Group|CINAR]], which had been affected by a [[CINAR scandal|financial scandal]]. However, those talks had fallen through due to either a failure to secure sufficient funding or in-fighting within CINAR's board of directors.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/cinar-sale-talks-take-a-dive/ | title=Cinar sale talks take a dive |website=C21Media|first=Andrew|last=Dickens|date=November 8, 2001}}</ref>

In December 2001, Gullane purchased a majority stake in ''[[Fireman Sam]]'' from [[S4C|S4C International]] for £16 Million, with both companies agreeing to both produce a new season of 26 episodes and to remaster the previous 4 seasons.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Griffiths|first=Katherine|date=19 December 2001|title=Gullane to Pay £1.6m for Half the Rights to 'Fireman Sam'|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/gullane-pay-ps1-6m-half-rights-fireman-sam-9273971.html|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>

On February 13, 2002, Catalyst Entertainment announced that they had merged with fellow Canadian media company Cambium Entertainment to form [[CCI Entertainment]] Ltd. (Cambium Catalyst International) The merger allowed Gullane to achieve economies of scale and add clarity to their operating profile and added Cambium Entertainment's properties into their now-300-hours worth of programming. Gullane owned a 32% non-voting, 19% voting, interest in the newly enlarged business, and would continue to operate as Gullane's Canadian affiliate and distributor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/catalyst-and-cambium-join-forces/|title=Catalyst and Cambium join forces|website=C21Media|first=Andrew|last=Dickens|date=February 15, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ccientertainment.com/merge.htm|title=Cambium Entertainment and Catalyst Entertainment Merge to Form Cambium Catalyst International|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031214065111/http://www.ccientertainment.com/merge.htm |website=CCI Entertainment|date=February 13, 2002|archive-date=14 December 2003 }}</ref>

On 8 March 2002, Gullane signed a co-production, distribution, and global licensing deal with [[Collingwood & Co.|Collingwood O'Hare Entertainment]] for the production of a new series titled ''[[Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto!]]'', which had been pre-sold to [[CITV]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/gullane-and-collingwood-ohare-partner-new-kids-series|title=Gullane and Collingwood O'Hare Partner on New Kids' Series|website=Animation World Network|first=Leigh|last=Godfrey|date=March 8, 2002}}</ref> On 20 March, the company announced 208 new episodes of ''Art Attack'' for the European and Latin American markets, alongside 78 new episodes of ''Thomas & Friends''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/more-thomas-and-art-attack-from-gullane/|title = More Thomas and Art Attack from Gullane|website=C21Media|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=March 19, 2002}}</ref> Gullane had also started remastering the 1974 series of ''Captain Pugwash'' around this time.

===Purchase by [[HIT Entertainment]]===
After approximately two years of negotiation, in July 2002, HIT Entertainment agreed to purchase Gullane Entertainment for £139 million.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Cassy|first=John |title=Gullane Gives in to Barney Bid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2002/jul/06/citynews.media?INTCMP=SRCH|access-date=9 April 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=6 July 2002}}</ref> It was unknown if CCI Entertainment was effected by the purchase.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2002/07/08/cci-20020708/|title = Gullane's sale leaves CCI in the balance|website=Playback|date=July 8, 2002}}</ref>

On 18 September 2002, before HIT's purchase, Gullane's distribution deal with Tell-Tale for ''Ella'' and ''Sprogs'' fell through, with the rights reverting to Tell-Tale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/tell-tale-launches-warped-new-animation/|title = Tell-Tale launches Warped new animation|website=C21Media|first=Ed|last=Waller|date=September 18, 2002}}</ref>

===After the purchase===
In January 2003, Britt Allcroft announced she had resigned as a board director at HIT Entertainment in order to focus her work on her new company Britt Allcroft Productions and Peter Urie was appointed Group Head of Production to replace her.<ref name="Allcroft Leaves HIT"/>

In March 2003, [[CCI Entertainment]] announced they had ended their partnership with HIT, purchasing out their shares in the company, as well as most of Gullane's catalogue. The shows CCI reacquired were put into the company's CCI Releasing subsidiary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/cci-takes-gullane-titles-back-from-hit/|title=CCI takes Gullane titles back from Hit|website=C21Media|first=Jenn|last=Kuzmyk|date=March 26, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/cci-gets-gullane-library-back-hit|title = CCI Gets Gullane Library Back from HIT|website=Animation World Network|first=Sarah|last=Baisley|date=April 2, 2003}}</ref>

In October 2007, HIT put the rights to both Mumfie and Sooty up for sale.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/oct/04/business.citynews|title=Hit Entertainment Has Put the Rights to Kids' TV Puppet Sooty up for Sale|date=4 October 2007|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> [[Britt Allcroft]] reacquired [[Magic Adventures of Mumfie]] in March 2008,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bates|first=Jim|date=2008-03-19|title=Children's Television Pioneer Britt Allcroft Reacquires ''Mumfie'' – "Special Little Elephant with a Great Big Heart" Returning Home|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080319005260/en/Childrens-Television-Pioneer-Britt-Allcroft-Reacquires-Mumfie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716155109/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080319005260/en/Childrens-Television-Pioneer-Britt-Allcroft-Reacquires-Mumfie|archive-date=2020-07-16|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Businesswire.com}}</ref> while [[Richard Cadell]] would purchase the [[Sooty]] franchise and brand in June 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Langsworthy|first1=Billy|date=14 January 2014|title=Richard Cadell on Saving Sooty, Brand Longevity and Stage Shows|language=en-us|publisher=NewBay Media|url=http://www.licensing.biz/big-interviews/read/richard-cadell-on-saving-sooty-brand-longevity-and-stage-shows/039309|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619035704/https://www.licensing.biz/entertainment/richard-cadell-on-saving-sooty-brand-longevity-and-stage-shows|archive-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>

In February 2008, HIT sold the [[Guinness World Records]] brand and franchise to [[Ripley Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Katie|title=Guinness World Records Brand Sold to Ripley's for £60m|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/feb/15/useconomy.economics?INTCMP=SRCH|access-date=9 April 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 February 2008}}</ref>

==Programming==
* ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'' (1984–2021, Series 1–7)
* ''[[Shining Time Station]]'' (1989–1993, 1995, produced by Quality Family Entertainment in association with [[WNET-TV]], [[Catalyst Entertainment]] (Series 2–3) and [[YTV Canada]] (seasons 2–3))
* ''[[Magic Adventures of Mumfie]]'' (1994–1998, produced by Quality Family Entertainment in association with D'Ocon Films Productions (Series 3))
* ''[[Little Hippo]]'' (1997, produced by [[Marina Productions]] in association with [[France 3]], [[ZDF]], EVA Entertainment and Neurones)
* ''[[James the Cat]]'' (1997–1998, produced by Canning Factory in association with Moonbeam Ltd.)
* ''[[Captain Pugwash|The Adventures of Captain Pugwash]]'' (1998–2000, produced by John Cary Films)
* ''[[Art Attack]]'' (1990–2007, Series 13–15, produced by The Media Merchants in association with [[SMG TV Productions]])
* ''[[Fireman Sam]]'' (1987–present, Series 5, produced by [[Calon (TV production company)|Siriol Productions]] in association with [[S4C]])
* ''[[It's a Mystery (TV series)|Mystery]]'' (1996–2002, Series 5, produced by The Media Merchants)
* ''[[Sooty Heights]]'' (1999–2000, Series 2, produced by Sooty Limited in association with [[Granada Media|Granada Media Children's]])
* ''[[Sooty (2001 TV series)|Sooty]]'' (2001–2004, Series 1–2, produced by Sooty Limited in association with [[Granada Media]])
* ''[[ZZZap!]]'' (1993–2001, Series 10, produced by The Media Merchants in association with [[Meridian Television]])

===Distribution only===
* ''What Katy Did'' (1999, TV movie, produced by Catalyst Entertainment in association with [[Tetra Films]])<ref name="Major raft of kids sales for Gullane">{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/major-raft-of-kids-sales-for-gullane/ | title=Major raft of kids sales for Gullane |website=C21Media|first=Ed|last=Waller|date=July 2, 2001}}</ref>
* ''Cinderella & Me'' (1999, TV movie, produced by Catalyst Entertainment)<ref name="Major raft of kids sales for Gullane"/>
* ''Shadow Lake'' (1999, TV movie, produced by Catalyst Entertainment)<ref name="Major raft of kids sales for Gullane"/>
* ''Virtual Mom'' (2000, TV movie, produced by Catalyst Entertainment in association with Miracle Pictures)<ref name="Major raft of kids sales for Gullane"/>
* '' Longhouse Tales'' (2000, produced by Catalyst Entertainment)
*''[[Eckhart (TV series)|Eckhart]]'' (2000–2001, produced by Catalyst Entertainment)<ref name="Major raft of kids sales for Gullane"/>
* ''I Was A Rat'' (2001, TV Movie, produced by Catalyst Entertainment)
* ''[[Monster by Mistake]]'' (2003, Series 3, produced by CCI Entertainment)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/cci-and-gullane-make-monster-deals/ | title=CCI and Gullane make Monster deals |website=C21Media|first=Fiona|last=Fraser|date=April 16, 2002}}</ref>
* ''[[Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto!]]'' (2003, produced by [[Collingwood & Co.|Collingwood O'Hare Entertainment]])

==Other assets==
* [[Guinness World Records]]

==Films==
* '''''[[Thomas and the Magic Railroad]]''''' (2000). Gullane's only feature-length film. This film features Thomas and his friends protecting a lost engine from the evil [[Diesel 10]] and finding some magic. The film stars [[Alec Baldwin]] as Mr. Conductor, [[Peter Fonda]] as Burnett Stone, [[Mara Wilson]] as Lily, [[Russell Means]] as Billy Twofeathers, [[Didi Conn]] as Stacy Jones, and [[Edward Glen]] as the voice of Thomas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/thomas_and_the_magic_railroad|access-date=2021-04-05|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref>

==Key people==
* '''[[Britt Allcroft]]''' – Co Founder, Director, Deputy Chairman (resigned 7 September 2000)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Gullane Entertainment Limited – Officers|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02120124/officers?page=1|access-date=2021-04-05|website=[[Companies House]]|language=en}}</ref>
* '''[[Angus Wright (producer)|Angus Wright]]''' – Co Founder
* '''[[Charles Falzon|Charles J. Falzon]]''' – President, Director (resigned 3 September 2002)<ref name=":0" />

==References==
<references />

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/dec/01/9 Mills to join Britt Allcroft <nowiki>[Productions]</nowiki>] ''The Guardian'' – 1 December 2000
 
{{Thomas}}
{{Mattel}} 
{{Animation industry in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Gullane Entertainment]]
[[Category:British brands]]
[[Category:British animation studios]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 2002]]
[[Category:2002 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 2002]]
[[Category:HIT Entertainment]]
[[Category:Mattel]]
[[Category:Television production companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Thomas & Friends]]
[[Category:1996 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]]