Scheme to transform landmark building into Hollywood of the North hangs in balance

The property developer behind one of Liverpool’s most ambitious projects has admitted that the project “hangs in the balance”.

Property firm Capital and Centric is looking to transform the former Littlewoods building on Edge Lane into a film and TV studio.

How new studios will look

But ever since the landmark building was badly damaged in an arson attack last year work on the project has remained at a standstill.

Capital and Centric has signed a deal with Twickenham Film Studios which would lead to the creation of the largest film studio in the north.

The complex would have two 20,000 sq ft sound stages and 100,000 sq ft of Grade A office space creating around 4,000 jobs in the process.

Until now the developer has always been adamant that the scheme will go ahead despite the fire.

But there has been no sign of any work starting on the site. Construction work was due to start at the beginning of 2019.

The firm was asked on Twitter this week if it was confident the project would get underway at the start of next year.

The repl was: “Nope, with such a mega project, ambition on an unprecedented scale, it all hangs in the balance, but we’re giving it everything we’ve got and we won’t give up until we’ve done everything we can to make it happen.”

Co-founder Adam Higgins later told the Liverpool Echo: “We’re just as frustrated as everyone else that this amazing building is still sat there empty but we’re doing everything within our power to deliver the film studios.

“We continue to work very closely with Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool Film Office, and appreciate their unswerving support.

“Our enthusiasm and determination to deliver this transformational development remains as strong as ever.”

Workers at Littlewoods

The famous Art Deco building was home to Littlewoods Pools and over 30,000 staff once worked in the building.