The former Littlewoods building in Liverpool is set to become a world-class film and TV campus, as social impact developers Capital&Centric begin restoration work on the iconic structure. Liverpool City Council is the freeholder of the site, while the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is providing funding. A remediation team started on site on 12 December, with the first phase expected to last until next summer. Two 20,000 sq ft studios are set to be built on neighbouring land next, followed by other areas within the former Littlewoods building.
The proposed initiative is expected to bolster Liverpool’s reputation as a hub for film and TV production, with Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, calling the Littlewoods Project a “watershed moment” for the city. Once completed, the facility will offer breathtaking views across the city from a new roof garden, and a new working clock will be reinstated on the building’s iconic tower. The site is also set to feature a multipurpose screening facility, featuring five cinema screens, an outdoor performance space and food hall.
Thanks to an investment of up to £17m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, two film and TV studios known as ‘The Depot’ have already been opened in Liverpool’s Edge Lane, which are managed by the Liverpool Film Office. The plan is part of an overall initiative to turn Liverpool into the “Hollywood of the North”. The new sound stages planned for the Littlewoods building are expected to take around a year to complete and become operational, with the re-purposing of existing structures expected to take longer due to their complexity.
The restoration of the Littlewoods building is the beginning of the city’s plan to become an international hub for film and TV production. Capital&Centric submitted their planning application for the Littlewoods Project last month and Liverpool City Council is expected to determine the plans in early 2024. The initiative aims to ensure Liverpool remains at the top of the list of locations for directors when scouting for ideal production sites, from music videos to blockbuster movies
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