Owners pledge to press ahead with plans to transform iconic buildings into film studios

Littlewoods building

The owners of an iconic Liverpool building badly damaged in a fire last month have promised to press ahead with plans to create a brand new film studios.

Developer Capital&Centric has released images of what the new film studios at the Littlewoods Building in Liverpool will look like when they open for business.

The art deco building, which was once the home of Llittlewoods Pools, is one of the best-known buildings in the city and was badly damaged by the fire which is thought to have been started by arsonists.

The latest Images show the communal work spaces along with the central food and drink hall that will sit in between the building’s two wings.

Littlewoods reception

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “We’re talking about bringing the world’s film industry to us.

“They’re already here for Liverpool’s amazing exterior locations, but Littlewoods will give them a one-stop home for interior filming.

“The fire in September was a blow, but I’m pleased that this has not impacted the vision for the future of this incredible building.

“We’ve spent years behind the scenes bringing the world’s location scouts and directors here.

“Now’s the time to shout about it and show the rest of the UK what Liverpool is capable of.

“What excites me most is how the world’s industry will tap into our talent, our creativity.

“That’s the next generation of costume designers, set builders, runners and film makers, who could all be drawn from Liverpool and benefit from the productions rolling in.”

Littlewoods first floor

Leading figures from the British Film Commission and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have visited the site to learn about the scheme.

Luciana Berger MP described the project as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity for the city’ during her visit.

Meanwhile enquiries from casting agencies, education facilities and production companies have also been received by the developers.

Twickenham Studios, the anchor tenant for Littlewoods and the UK’s oldest film studios, plan a visit to the site to assess their requirements for the 85,000 sq ft scheme the studio has rented.

Planning applications for the construction of the new Hollywood-standard sound stages are currently being prepared and are expected to be submitted within the next few months.

Andrew Boswell, commercial director at Twickenham Studios, said: “It’s almost a perfect storm for the UK’s film industry – one that Liverpool can absolutely capitalise on. As well as the huge rise in investment in film, the appetite for original content from the streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon is putting what the UK currently has to offer under strain.

“Ask anyone in the industry and they talk about space. At Twickenham we receive enquiries for large scale space – from the UK and international productions – on a weekly basis.

“Liverpool has all the right ingredients to make Littlewoods Studios the leading site for new TV and film studios in the UK and we can’t wait to be part of that story.”

How the new studios would look

Owner Capital&Centric is in talks with other firms to locate there.

Co-founder Tim Heatley said: “Our team was floored by the outpouring of love for our vision from the city and around the world. The building is pretty cavernous and has loads of potential – the fire doesn’t change any of that.

“We’re busy speaking to potential occupiers and planning what the space will look like inside, what finishes we’ll need and how the various spaces will work together. We’re making sure the inside is impressive and beautifully designed, befitting of what is an icon for Liverpool.

“The city has picked itself up from the Channel 4 shortlisting outcome. Truth is, it doesn’t need it. With the global demand for space and the sheer volume of productions coming to the UK, Channel 4 was just a nice-to-have.”

The studios are due to open in 2020.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close