UK Budget Pledges £20M to Revive Liverpool's Littlewoods Studios
Summary
The money covers part of a £70 million plan to turn the derelict art deco landmark into two sound stages and a creative campus, with work slated to begin in spring 2027.
"Chancellor John Healey used his first Budget on October 28 to commit £20 million to the Littlewoods project in Liverpool, the long-stalled studio development nicknamed the ""Hollywood of the North."" TVBEurope called the pledge the Budget's headline item for the UK film and television industry, and Liverpool Business News reported that the money will come through the government's Growth Mission Fund, subject to approval of a final business case.
The scheme, led by Manchester developer Capital&Centric, would convert the former Littlewoods headquarters on Edge Lane into a creative campus of roughly 260,000 square feet, with production studios, education space and support services for film, TV, gaming and immersive work. TVBEurope reported plans for two sound stages of about 20,400 square feet each, with 17 metres of height. The full complex is costed at £70 million, and the Liverpool City Region, under Mayor Steve Rotheram, had already committed £17 million in public money.
The project dates to 2017 and has spent the past six years fighting what TVBEurope described as a ""viability challenge."" Liverpool Business News reported that site works are planned to start in spring 2027, with an estimated 630 permanent jobs and £56 million a year in economic activity once the campus is running. City council leader Liam Robinson called the funding ""a huge moment for Liverpool and the region."" "
