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You’ll be pleased to find that there are plenty of great options for film developing all across the UK.

Whether you’re in London, Scotland, Wales, or anywhere in between, we’ve found all of the photo labs that still develop film.

We’ve also included a rundown of the most common chain photo labs that you may have in your city. Some of these stores still offer film developing in the UK, although there are some stipulations. 

Take a look at the list below, including which types of film are accepted at each lab and a map showing all of their locations.

South West England

We’ve found photo labs that develop film in Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Cornwall, Tavistock, and Plymouth. 

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Where to Develop Film in Bournemouth

Since 1987, Snaps Photo Services has provided film developing in Bournemouth. (Don’t get them confused with the chain photo lab, Snappy Snaps, though). 

Film processing and related services are the main focus of this lab. 35mm and 120 film can both be developed, whether C-41 colour, black and white, or E-6 color reversal. 

Basic options for scanning and printing your photos are also available. 

Where to Develop Film in Bristol

Bristol is fortunate to have more than a few places that still develop film. Each lab has different services available and a different set of pros and cons. Here are a few of our favorites.

Photographique is a high-end photo lab known for their consistently great work. The prices may be on the higher side, but if quality is your biggest concern, we think this lab is well worth it. 

They can develop all types and sizes of film. 35mm, 120, and large format are all processed on site. C-41 colour, black and white, and even E-6 slide film. 

Another photo lab dedicated solely to analogue photography, Jack’s Lab is one of the newest places to develop film in Bristol. 

35mm and 120 film can both be developed by Jack’s. C-41, B&W, and E-6 are all accepted.

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With so many options for film developing in Bristol, we have a separate guide to all of the labs that still offer the service. Check it out below.

Where to Develop Film in Cheltenham

If you’ve been looking for a place to develop less-common film types, you may be interested in The Darkroom UK. 

This Cheltenham lab is able to develop any type or size of film. 35mm, 120, and large format are all accepted. C-41 colour, black and white, and E-6 are processed on-site. 

They also take requests for old and odd film formats, should you ever come across any. Long story short: if you’ve got any undeveloped film, The Darkroom should be able to help you out. 

Where to Develop Film in Cornwall

Photo Shop Cornwall is the largest independent photo retailer in the area. They operate two stores – Waebrdige and Falmouth.

This is your standard, full-service photo shop. They sell new and used cameras, accessories, and operate a photo lab with plenty of offerings. 

Among the services at the photo lab is film processing for 35mm and medium format. They are able to develop B&W, colour, and slide film. 

One of many Fujifilm labs across the UK, Perfect Pictures is one of the fastest places to develop film in Cornwall. 

Offering 35mm, 120, and disposable camera developing, Perfect Pictures processes C-41 colour film on site. Black and white and E-6 are both accepted, although they are sent out to another lab. 

As long as your film is standard colour, one-hour express service is usually available. 

Established in 1996, Speedy Prints is a no-frills photo lab that still offers limited film processing services. 

35mm and APS film can both be developed, so long as it is C-41 colour. 

Outside of developing film, you can expect standard photo lab services like printing, scanning, and other photo finishing. 

One last place to develop film in Cornwall is the All About Frames Film Lab, formerly known as Truro Imaging. They have recently moved locations and separated the business into two – the frame shop and the film lab.

C-41 colour and black and white film are able to be developed. Between the two shops, you should be able to find any standard printing or framing services.

Where to Develop Film in Plymouth

Situated right on the border of Devon and Cornwall, Spectrum Photo Laboratories provides extensive options for film developing in Plymouth. 

Every type and size of film is accepted by Spectrum. They can develop 35mm, 120, and sheet film, whether it is C-41 colour, black and white, or E-6. 

This photo lab has been serving photographers since 1991, also offering inkjet and fine art prints.

Where to Develop Film in Tavistock

Dartmoor Photographic is a photoshop that stocks compact digital cameras, bags, tripods, and other accessories. They also operate a full-service photo lab. 

The lab develops 35mm and medium format film. All types are accepted – C-41 colour, B&W, and even E-6 slide film.  

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South East England

If you’re looking to develop film in Brighton, Southampton, or Oxford, check out your options below.

Where to Develop Film in Brighton

Like many other labs, Colourstream took the last few years to increase their online business presence. The result is Brighton Film Lab, the online-only wing of Colourstream. 

Whether you send your film by post or drop it off at the box outside of Colourstream, the services will be the same. 

35mm, 120, and 4×5 sheet film can all be developed. All types of chemistry are fair game – C-41, black and white, and E-6. 

In-person services also extend to printing, scanning, and framing. It’s worth noting that Colourstream offers a generous student discount with valid ID.

Kodak Express locations used to be bountiful throughout the UK (and many other parts of the world, for that matter). While most have closed down over the years, there are still a handful of these small shops in business. 

At the Kodak Express Brighton, you can develop disposable cameras, 35mm, and 120 film, so long as it is C-41 colour. 

Where to Develop Film in Oxford

Surprisingly, there aren’t any independent labs that develop film in Oxford (that we know of). If you want to stay in town, you’ll be limited to using a chain photo lab. In this case, that’s likely going to be the Snappy Snaps on Cornmarket Street.

Where to Develop Film in Southampton

The Film Safe is a new place to develop film in Southampton, started by a young couple passionate about photography. 

While the majority of their business happens online, local customers are more than welcome to drop off their film in person.  You can bring your 35mm and 120 film for developing if it is C-41 colour or black and white. 

While still a new operation, The Film Safe has already pledged 3% of their profits to a few different charities. They allow each and every customer to decide which charity they’d prefer their money go to. 

You can also find fresh film for sale, disposable cameras, and a cool selection of merch to represent the lab. 

If you tend to stick to 35mm film, you may be interested in Parkers Photographic. This photo lab still offers on-site film developing in Southampton. 

You can develop B&W and C-41 colour film at Parkers, so long as it is 35mm. They also accept some odd, uncommon formats like 110/126 and APS.

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London

It’s no surprise that England’s capital is home to the most photo labs of anywhere in the UK. Whether you’re looking for a central place to develop film London or specifically in Brixton, we’ve got plenty of options for you.

Where to Develop Film in Brixton

Photofusion is a lot of things. As London’s largest photographic resource center, they offer all sorts of classes, exhibitions, a community darkroom, and film developing. 

You can drop off your 35mm, 120, or sheet film for processing. C-41 colour and black and white can both be developed. 

There is a film dropbox outside and they also share a space with many other awesome tenants in the International House Brixton.

On the same floor, you can also find Parallax Photographic Coop, a great place to shop for all things analogue photography.

This copy bureau offers a list of services about a kilometer long. Need to do some middle of the night copying? T-Shirt printing? Academy Imaging is your spot. Fortunately, they also offer film developing in Brixton.

You can find processing for 35mm, 120, and even large format sheet film. They accept C-41 colour as well as black and white. 

As a Fujifilm digital photo lab, Rapid Photo is another place where you can develop film in Brixton. 

This is only an option if you’re looking to develop 35mm film. That said, they accept all types – C-41 colour, black and white, and even E-6 color reversal. 

Other services are consistent with most photo labs: printing, scanning, photo restoration, etc. 

Where to Develop Film in London

If you’re a film photographer in London, consider yourself lucky. With so many great places to develop film, the hardest part may be deciding which lab you like best. Here are the labs that stand out the most to us:

Dip and dunk processing for all film. Speedy film developing. Four different scanners to choose from. Traditional darkroom prints. 

What else could you possibly ask for? Our list of wishes from a photo lab is adequately fulfilled by Bayeux, who offer the above services and more. 

All types and sizes of film can be developed. 35mm, 120, and large format are all processed in house – C-41 colour, B&W and slide film. 

Metro Imaging is another London lab that offers developing for any type of film. 35mm to large format, colour, B&W, and even slide film.

If you’re able to get in before 10:30AM, your film can usually be developed the same day (although scans take 48 hours). 

They offer plenty of options for high end prints and scans of your photos. Fresh film for sale, too.

Offering film developing in Shoreditch since 1996, Rapid Eye is another one of our favorite London labs. 

You’ll be able to develop black and white or colour film in any size – 35mm, 120, or 5×4 sheet. 

Rapid Eye has plenty of cool things going on outside of their photo lab, too. They also run the nearby Photobook Cafe as well as a community darkroom that is open to the public and hosts classes for beginners.

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Now this is barely scraping the surface of all the places where you can develop film in London. There are community darkrooms, black and white specialists, and countless mom and pop shops that have never stopped developing. 

We could talk about this topic until the sun goes down – which is exactly why we’ve written an in-depth guide to all of the photo labs that still develop film in London. 

East Midlands

While certainly not boasting as many options as other parts of the UK, we’re just glad that there are a few places to develop film in Nottingham. Most people should be able to use one of these options, unless you’re looking to develop E-6 slide film. 

Where to Develop Film in Nottingham

After running a popular photo lab in Nottingham for almost a decade, the owner decided to close The Photo Parlour in order to work on a new business.

This time around, he collaborated with the folks at Take it Easy Lab to create a multi-faceted community spaced based around analogue photography.

Make It Easy accepts any size of film for developing in C-41 colour and black and white. 35mm, medium format, and 4×5 sheet film can all be processed.

As a die-hard film lab, they also offer darkroom prints (both B&W and colour) and contact sheets

So what sets this lab apart from the previous iteration? Not only is there a darkroom available for hire, but Make It Easy regularly hosts classes, workshops, and other events for local photographers to connect with one another.

While anyone is able to rent the darkroom, a membership gets you a significant discount on the service, if you’re interested in DIY developing.

You’ll have another choice for film developing in Nottingham. Fotomargo is a standard photolab that still offers the service. 

You can develop disposable cameras, 35mm, and 120 film, as long as it is C-41 colour or black and white. Fotomargo can often develop film with a quick turnaround. 

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West Midlands

While there aren’t many photo labs in the West Midlands, it so happens that one of the best places to develop film in the UK is located in Birmingham.

Where to Develop Film in Birmingham

If you ask a bunch of film photographers in the UK which lab is their favourite, AG Photolab is a name you’re going to hear a lot. 

They can develop 120 film alongside 35mm of any type. C-41 colour, black and white, and E-6 are all processed on-site. 

As a pro-quality lab, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of options for scanning and printing. You’ll have your choice of which scanner is used for your film and they also offer C-prints.

North West England

You’ll have a few options if you’re looking to develop film in Manchester, Liverpool, or Burnley. Take a look at the choices below.

Where to Develop Film in Burnley

Another Fujfilm lab, Photo Hippo is an option if you’re looking for film developing in Burnley.

They can develop disposable cameras, 35mm and 120 film of all chemistries – colour, black and white, and even E-6 colour reversal. Less common formats like APS, 110/126, and 127 are also accepted. 

If you opt to get scans with your film developing, you’ll have your choice between three different sizes.

Where to Develop Film in Liverpool

Dot Art is an organization that supports local artists in the UK by making prints of their work available for personal and commercial buyers. It just so happens that they also run a DIY darkroom. 

The darkroom is equipped for developing and printing black and white film only. You’ll need a membership, as well as darkroom knowledge (or, the completion of a course on the subject if you’re inexperienced). 

While this option may only apply to a select group of photographers, we wanted to include it since it’s the only place to develop film in Liverpool without going to a chain photo lab.

Where to Develop Film in Manchester

DS Colour Labs, sometimes shortened to DSCL, should definitely be on your radar if you’re looking to develop film in Manchester. Established in 1954, this professional lab offers plenty of services for any type of photographer. 

Both 35mm and medium format film can be developed. C-41 colour, black and white, and slide film are all processed by DSCL. They also accept APS and 110/126 formats. 

All photos are density and colour corrected with scratch and dust removal included. Aside from film developing, there is a long list of services including scanning, enlargements, photo-book printing, and more. 

Advanced Photo is the kind of lab that was prominent all over the planet a few decades ago. A small, no-frills shop with no website, offering basic photo lab services. 

They’re also quite centrally located in Manchester.

Advanced Photo develop 35mm and 120 film, both C-41 colour and black and white. Colour film can usually be developed in an hour, which is getting harder and harder to find. 

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Yorkshire

Yorkshire is home to many great photo labs. No matter what type of film you like to shoot, you should have no problem finding somewhere to develop it. Check out all of the places you can develop film in Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, and Newcastle below.

Where to Develop Film in Hull

This Kodak Express photo lab offers cheap disposable camera and film developing in Hull. 

Photo Express provides 35mm colour film developing. They also accept APS and C-41 process black and white film. 

Run of the mill photolab services like printing, scanning, and other photofinishing are also available.

Where to Develop Film in Leeds

CC Imaging is a professional lab that offers a thorough list of film developing services.

35mm, 120, and large format sheet film can all be developed. This includes all types – black and white, C-41 colour, and E-6. Slide film is processed dip and dunk and B&W is processed by hand.

A variety of fine art printing options are available, as well as standard printing and photo gifts.

Take it Easy Film Lab has been a long time in the making. A local photographer and darkroom technician decided to buy the developing equipment when his lab closed their doors.

A short-lived attempt at a new business came and went, but it wasn’t until 2020 that they gave it a more serious go.

Take it Easy accepts 35mm and 120 medium format film for developing – C-41 colour, black and white, and E-6. 

They’ve recently partnered with Make It Easy Film Lab in Nottingham who handle some of the more specialized services, like dip and dunk processing.

Where to Develop Film in Newcastle

It’s nice that there’s still at least one place to develop film in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Digitalab provides 35mm, 120 and sheet film processing for C-41 colour and black and white. Film is only processed once a week, so it’s not necessarily the quickest option.

While the business is mostly geared towards printing and wall art, their list of services is quite extensive.

Where to Develop Film in Sheffield

Harrison Cameras is a large, full-service photo shop that stocks all of the latest cameras and gear. Their store also has a small photo lab for basic services.

The lab offers 35mm and 120 film developing. Black and white, colour, and E-6 slide film are all accepted. 

Outside of film processing, they provide scanning, printing, and enlargements. 

Sheffield Photographic Centre is another photoshop that accepts film and disposable cameras for developing in Sheffield. That said, film is outsourced to AG Photo Lab in Birmingham. 

AG is becoming the go-to spot for out-lab developing in the UK and they are known for doing great work. If you live in Sheffield, this might be a great option so that you don’t have to deal with posting your film yourself.

All film chemistries are accepted – C-41, B&W, and E-6 – whether its 35mm or medium format film.

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Wales

Especially compared to England, there aren’t very many places to develop film in Wales. Fortunately, there are still a few options. Here’s where you can develop film in Cardiff and North Wales.

Where to Develop Film in Cardiff

Since 1999, Express Imaging has been offering film developing in Cardiff. 

You can process 35mm or 120 film, whether it is colour, B&W, or E-6, at this lab. 

They provide fast film developing for colour, usually same-day. Black and white is processed by hand.

Camera Centre UK is a family run business with locations in Cardiff and Newport. While they sell digital cameras and all of the newest photo gear, their photolab also offers a lot of services.

Most importantly, they accept 35mm and 120 film for developing. C-41 colour, black and white, and E-6 can all be processed.

Where to Develop Film in North Wales

Southsun is the type of lab that is geared directly towards analogue photographers. They provide everything you need and nothing that you don’t.

You can expect to find 35mm and 120 film developing for both colour and B&W. Scanning and prints are also available, and that’s about it.

This lab operates mostly online. They have a slick website where you can place orders and then send your film by post. 

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Scotland

It should be no surprise that two of Scotland’s largest cities have plenty of photo labs to choose from. Check out where you can still develop film in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Where to Develop Film in Edinburgh

No matter what type of film you like to shoot, A+M Imaging is a great place to develop film in Edinburgh. 

All types and sizes of film are accepted. That means you can develop 35mm, 120, and large format film whether it is colour, B&W, or E-6. Most times, your order is completed in a few days. 

They also offer photographic fine art printing, including C-Prints. 

Cameratiks is a large photography store with new and used equipment for sale. Their lab also offers standard services, including film processing.

You’ll be able to develop 35mm and medium format film – colour, black and white, and E-6 colour reversal are all accepted.

Among the used inventory, you’ll find a lot of vintage film cameras and lenses.

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There used to be Kodak Express shops just about everywhere, and they all developed film. Nowadays they are less common, and services vary by location. 

Most of these shops use automated systems to develop/scan film and they aren’t necessarily known as the best option. 

That said, plenty of photographers will be perfectly fine with the results. Just know that you aren’t going to get the same quality as you would by going to an independent, dedicated photo lab. 

Fortunately, both of the Kodak Express shops in Edinburgh still offer film processing. C-41 colour and black and white are usually accepted, for 35mm or 120.

Kodak Express Edinburgh

Website | Directions

Kodak Express Snaps Prints

Website | Directions

Proudly claiming the title of “the only open-access colour darkroom in Scotland”, Stills is a great place for DIY film developing in Edinburgh.

To get access to the darkroom, you’ll first need an induction and then you’ll be free to rent the facilities by the day. No long-term membership is required. 

You’ll also have access to a digital lab with scanners and printers. Stills offers much more, including classes for beginners and photo exhibitions. 

Where to Develop Film in Glasgow

Opened by analogue-obsessive photographers in 2019, Gulabi really filled a void in the community and quickly became the go-to place to develop film in Glasgow.

You can develop 35mm and 120 film, both C-41 colour and black and white. Film processing usually takes just a few days, but you can opt for rush service if needed.

In order to truly cater to their fellow film photographers, they kept things dead simple – developing and scanning are their only offerings. Nothing more, nothing less. 

Aside from the main location, you can find four dropboxes around town, making it even more convenient to patronize this lab. 

Only specific film photographers will be interested in Street Level Photoworks, but they definitely deserve a spot on the list.

Aside from a lot of photographic programming and resources, you can find a darkroom available for hire. 

Membership is required to use the facilities, but you can choose between a monthly or annual option. After an induction session, you’ll have access to everything you need to develop, scan, and print your film photos. 

Getting into the darkroom can be intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you may find that you enjoy developing your photos as much as you like taking them.

If you’ve got a heavy shutter finger and shoot a lot of photos, this may be the cheapest film developing in Glasgow.

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Chain Photo Labs

Even though there are more than a few great photo labs across the UK, there are still plenty of people that live nowhere near any of them. Compared to other parts of the world, chain photo labs are much more common in the United Kingdom.

We’ve gathered a list of all the big photo chains that have multiple locations across the UK. If you didn’t find your city on our list above, chances are, you have at least one of these shops.

And even if you live somewhere with plenty of places to develop film, you’ve definitely seen some of these chains around town.

Wondering which stores still develop film? That’s a hard question to answer. The short version would be: you’ll have to check with your local branch to confirm.

Each of these companies has offered film developing at some point. Each of them has also discontinued or outsourced some level of this service. 

With some of these companies operating hundreds of locations, there are too many to keep track of which branches offer which services. The information is also constantly changing, as many stores gradually stop developing film over time. 

We’ve done our best to provide all of the information available, to put you on the right track.

Does Boots Still Develop Film?

Remember how we just said that most stores gradually stop developing film over time? Not Boots. They made headlines with their decision to close 220 of 320 photo labs in 2017. Chances are that more have closed since then. 

And the photo labs that remain open? They no longer develop film on-site. After speaking to a representative for the company, here’s the official status of film developing at Boots:

Any of the 1,040 Boots locations with a photo department are still able to develop film. 35mm and 120 film of all types are accepted – C-41 colour, black and white, and even E-6.

All film is sent to a central lab for developing and you can expect a turnaround time of nine days. You can find out if your nearest branch has a photo department by checking Boots Photo’s store locator.

Does Snappy Snaps Develop Film?

If you’ve ever seen one of these bright yellow shops, you’ve probably wondered if Snappy Snaps develops film. While not every location offers the service, some still provide one hour developing for colour film. 

Since this is a franchise company, it’s even more up in the air as to which locations will accept film. Some develop all types of film, while some only accept colour. And there are even owners who have discontinued film developing altogether. 

For example, the London Soho location accepts C-41, black and white, and even E-6 for developing. The Bristol location develops C-41 colour film in-house and sends out B&W and E-6.

Many branches send all film to one central Snappy Snaps lab for processing.

One hour film developing at Snappy Snaps can still be found – it’s at least worth checking with your local branch to see if it’s an option. It’s always nice to know where you can get a roll processed in a pinch.

Developing Film at Max Spielmann

Founded in the 1950’s Max Spielmann is another photo lab chain, this one operating 350 stores across the UK.

Some branches have discontinued in-store film developing and only offer basic photo lab services like printing and copying. That said, they can usually send your film to a company out-lab (we’ve heard that it’s located in Bromborough). 

Other branches still develop 35mm colour film in-store. 120, Black and white and E-6 are more likely to be sent out for developing. Once again, it’s best to check if your local Max Spielmann develops film, as it varies quite a bit from store to store.

Does Tesco Develop Film?

Tesco partnered with Max Spielmann to bring photo lab services to many of their stores. Some of the larger Tesco locations had full-service photo labs, whereas smaller stores often had just a photo kiosk. 

While it seems like the majority of the in-store labs have closed down, there are still some Tesco stores that develop film and disposable cameras.

It’s almost certain that C-41 colour is the only type of film they’ll be able to process, although we’ve seen a handful that also accept 120 film and black and white.

More likely, your film will be sent to the Max Spielmann central lab for developing. If this is the case at your store, you can expect around 7-10 days to get your photos back.

Can You Develop Film at Asda?

Another common chain, Asda still develops film in the UK. That said, they have fully pivoted to film developing by post, no longer offering the service in-store. 

Asda develops disposable cameras, 35mm, and APS film, but only C-41 colour. They provide prepaid envelopes to send your film in. Heads up: service time is quite long, usually taking 12-14 working days to get your photos back.

Your local Asda store might be able to send your film for you, but with prepaid envelopes provided, there isn’t really any reason to do so. 

Developing Film at Jessops

Jessops is a full-service camera store operating 16 branches in the UK. They carry digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and just about anything else you could possibly need to make images.

While the options are quite limited, Jessops develops 35mm film, as long as it is C-41 colour. You can choose between one-hour developing, or next day service.

They operate an out-lab in Slough, which accepts film developing by post. If your local branch no longer offers onsite processing, this is where your film will be sent. 

You may also be able to drop off other film formats (like black and white) for off-site developing. Expect 7-10 days to get your photos back if your film is sent out. 

Does London Camera Exchange Develop Film?

London Camera Exchange is another large photography shop with an extensive inventory. They have 26 branches in total and each store has different offerings for film developing. 

It seems that a little over half of the stores still develop disposable cameras and film – of the 21 branches that we talked to, 11 offer outsourced film developing, 9 have discontinued the service altogether, and only one store (Leamington) still develop film in-house.

Unlike most other chain stores, the LCE locations that offer outsourced film developing all go through different labs that are local to their particular branch. As a result, the types of film accepted at each store may vary.

It’s safe to assume that you can develop 35mm and 120 film, whether it is C-41 colour or black and white. Many of the stores we talked to still accept E-6, although unlike the other formats, some do not.

The London Camera Exchange stores that still accept film for developing are Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Winchester, Chichester, Chester, Lincoln, Exeter, Taunton, Hereford, Newcastle, and of course, the lone store to offer in-store developing, Leamington.

Map of Where to Develop Film in the UK

Anywhere Else?

When we started this list, we never would’ve guessed it would end up this long. It’s great to see independent photo labs still going strong across the UK.

Do you know any other places to develop film in the UK? We’re bound to have missed at least one spot…let us know in the comments!