A £20 million investment into Liverpool’s Littlewoods Building project was the highlight for the UK’s film and TV industry in the Chancellor’s Budget.
Speaking to the House of Commons, John Healey pledged the investment, which will boost the long-gestating project.
Work first began on the “Hollywood of the North” back in 2017 but the project has met numerous problems over the past six years, including funding difficulties and a “viability challenge”.
The development includes two sound stages, each measuring approximately 20,400 sq ft with a height of 17 metres, as well as office and workshop spaces.
Reacting to the announcement, Tim Heatley, co-founder of the project’s developers Capital&Centric said: “Every Budget promises new infrastructure. But not many budgets back the buildings we already have and have let rot. Mills, warehouses and landmarks sit empty across the UK while we plan brand new ones. Often the best infrastructure is already standing there, waiting to be put back to work.
“Littlewoods is the perfect example. It’s a kilometre of Art Deco that sat unused for decades,” added Heatley. “With the help of the government’s investment, it will become over 275,000 sq ft of studios, workspace and public space, with the potential to bring around 4,000 jobs to the region’s creative sector. That’s why we’re so excited to bring Littlewoods back to life. We’re not just fixing an old building. We’re giving Liverpool the facilities to lead the UK’s screen industry, and giving a landmark a second life as somewhere that builds careers. Thanks to the Budget announcement, we can start to get on with the work.”
