NEW DETAILS UNVEILED FOR £70M LITTLEWOODS BUILDING TRANSFORMATION
The team behind £70m plans to transform the iconic Littlewoods building in Liverpool into a film and TV complex have unveiled new details about the scheme. The business is also set to launch a film and food festival at the site, to celebrate the city’s role in international production.
CGI of what Liverpool City Region’s Littlewoods Studio could look like.
Capital&Centric is looking to redevelop the 1930s building to include studio spaces, workspaces and workshops for the industry.
Having already developed projects in the city, the company is working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council, as the landowner, to bring forward the site which is in a state of severe dilapidation and suffered fire damage in 2018.
As part of its vision to turn the city region into the “Hollywood of the North”, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed £17m to develop studios within the building, as well as two 22,000 sq ft film and TV studios at The Depot – which is now open and neighbours the Littlewoods site.
Under the new plans, the existing building will have options for hotel rooms and accommodation for crew, alongside an education facility and a roof terrace with city views.
The new build studios will provide space for big budget productions to film, while a screening and performance zone will be set within the existing hangar to open to the public. It will feature four cinema screens, a performance space and food hall.
Also included is a green courtyard for the community with a link through to the neighbouring Botanic Gardens.
Opinions are now being sought on the plans at a consultation which is running until Monday 17 July.
Elsewhere, Capital&Centric has unveiled plans for The Littlewoods Film & Food Fest at The Depot on Saturday 15 July.
The family-friendly festival will include film screenings, local food stalls, drinks, mini golf, face-painting and a DJ. Funds raised from ticket sales will go to Unity Youth and Community Centre.
John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said:
“Thousands have been through the building’s doors in its former guises, whether as the home of the Pools or as a monumental manufacturing hub during World War II. We want to produce a worthy sequel to that incredible origin story, helping the site to be re-born as a new UK focal point for TV and film production.
“We’re now working up the plans in detail and the consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on what we’ve got in store. As well as the Hollywood-standard studio building, workshops and offices, we want to make sure The Littlewoods Project embraces the surrounding community. That’s why we’re planning to incorporate loads of creative spaces, such as an educational facility; a screening space and foodhall that’ll be open to the public; and lush, landscaped areas where people can unwind.
“The upcoming Littlewoods Film & Food Fest will be a real celebration of how far the city has come in establishing itself as a British success story when it comes to international production. We hope people head down for a great time with their mates and family, and help raise money for a worthy local cause.”
For more information on Liverpool’s film industry click HERE.