Work on multi-million Liverpool film studio is set to continue

Previously in November 2021, plans to transform the former Littlewoods building on Edge Lane, Liverpool, were set into action. The plans were set to cost £70 million and were backed by both Liverpool City Council and the City Region Combined Authority.

Within the £70 million plans are proposals to create new creative offices, including new media facilities. This looks to bring in employment and education opportunities for local residents looking to break into the film industry.

A spokesperson for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has said, “The redevelopment of the former Littlewoods Building aims to create an internationally significant, 260,000 square foot film studio, commercial, creative employment, and educational space, which would enhance the city region’s reputation in culture and creativity, generate jobs across a range of skills and provide opportunities for the city region’s growing creative and digital cluster.”

But with talks of such extreme regenerations plans for the dilapidated building, what is the next step for Liverpool to take?

The plans for redevelopment have been split into two phases, with an approval pending for an £8 million remediation first phase in early 2022.Investigations and main scheme design works are the main objectives to carryout on site currently and will eventually lead into construction.

The £8 million remediation is part of a £17 million funding package previously agreed by the Combined Authority. As the regeneration project is of a massive scale, Liverpool is looking towards additional private investments to deliver the full project. Some of this additional investment has been provided by The Depot Studios with a total of £3 million contributed towards the overall first phase’s investment of £17 million.

Phase 2 will need a fully funded package to continue- but as of recent, both the Council and Combined Authority has projected their contribution to be around £12 million each, with a commercial lender being requested for the remaining balance.

“Littlewoods will become one of the biggest film and television complexes in the UK, cementing Liverpool’s position at the forefront of the UK’s creative industry. One of the city’s largest regeneration projects, it’ll generate millions of pounds for the local economy and provide young people with career opportunities in a hugely exciting and growing industry. The legal agreements are almost in place which will enable us to kick-start the delivery of our vision.”

It is an exciting concept and one that will lead to further regeneration of the Liverpool region. It will positively affect local residents by promoting job opportunities in a hard-to-reach industry and bring outside investment from the film and television industries.

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