Written by Kianna Best on Dec 13, 2023. Posted in General Interest

Liverpool’s Littlewoods building prepares for film and TV transformation

Liverpool Film Office announced yesterday the start of preparation to transform the city’s former  Little woods building into a film and TV campus. Expected to run until next summer, the construction will start with the development of two new 20,000 sq ft studios to welcome big budget productions. Positioning the city as the ‘Hollywood of the North’, the new facility will cater to both professional visitors and the surrounding community alike.

“The remediation of the Littlewoods Building is a watershed moment for Liverpool’s TV and film industry,” commented councillor Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council. “It marks the end of all the talking about the vision for this iconic site and the beginning of the action to make the dream a reality. Today is like going from script readings to first day of shooting.”

With a committed GBP 17 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the development of the depot has seen the construction of two new film and TV studios, as well as an additional larger studio. Taking about a year to build, the newest development for the Littlewoods building will incorporate the local community, transforming the existing canteen into a screening and performance facility for the public. The new site will also feature office and workshop space, as well as studio support and education facilities.

John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric, said: “Whilst Liverpool is the UK’s most filmed location outside London, the city needs to keep upping the ante. Not only will The Littlewoods Project draw in productions, it will unlock opportunities in the creative sectors for locals for years to come. Having submitted detailed plans to Liverpool City Council last month, getting started on site is a major moment and the beginning of realising shared ambitions for the Littlewoods Project.

“The excitement and anticipation of what’s to come is palpable,” added Robinson. “Yes, there’s some hurdles still to clear, but we know what the ending looks like and how to get there. I can’t wait for the day it opens and people get inside to start making their own film-making dreams come true and showcasing Liverpool’s phenomenal ability to make magic happen on screen.”

The 1930’s Littlewoods building on Edge Lane, Liverpool, started undergoing its transformation on 12 December, led by social impact developers Capital&Centric. With Liverpool City Council as freeholder of the site and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as funders, the newly developed site will contribute to Liverpool’s growing film and TV industry presence.

Image courtesy of Liverpool Film Office