Liverpool’s Littlewoods eyed by Broadwick
The cultural operator behind Printworks London is understood to be in advanced talks to pre-let the 260,000 sq ft film and media hub, currently being developed by Capital&Centric.
Broadwick Group is made up of four companies: the venue-focussed Broadwick Spaces, the event-centric Broadwick Live, the collaborative-leaning Broadwick Partnerships, and the delivery engine Broadwick Developments. The company secured a significant investment from American gaming power player Rockstar Games in 2022 to support an expanding portfolio.
In the North West, Broadwick runs New Century Hall and Depot Mayfield. Further South, it is behind Control Room A at Battersea Power Station and Churchill Place.
It is understood that Broadwick is not the only operator considering setting up shop at Littlewoods, with a number of global companies expressing their interest in the site. No deal has been signed one way or another, Place has been informed.
Littlewoods, which sits off Edge Lane, is a key part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s ambitions to turn the Merseyside city into the Hollywood of the North.
The historic Liverpool complex is undergoing a large-scale refurbishment, with plans for two additional 20,000 sq ft film studios to be built next door to the 1930s structure.
Capital&Centric aims to turn Littlewoods into a mixture of offices, workshops, education facilities, performance spaces, multi-purpose screening rooms, and a food hall – with a roof garden thrown in for good measure.
The developer estimates that Littlewoods will generate £200m a year for the local economy when it completes, creating 4,000 jobs in the process.
Plans drawn up by architect ShedKM were submitted in November for the project, with support from planner Avison Young and landscape architect Planit. Remediation work on the site began last winter.
While Capital&Centric co-founder Tim Heatley kept mum regarding any possible deal with Broadwick or anyone else, he did say that he was “excited about the interest the project has received from potential tenants and occupiers”.
He added: “The vision is coming together thanks to the help of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson and their teams.”
Broadwick was approached for comment.
To learn more about the Littlewoods project, search application reference number 23F/2887 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
Boom!
By More Anonymous than the others
Oh god, let’s hope this happens and doesn’t fall victim to the Liverpool curse!
By Fitz
Sounds promising.
By Liverpolitis
That’s one expensive refurb! I live in hope…
By Anonymous
This sounds very exciting but as always skeptical whether Liverpool City Council will make it happen given their track record! If it’s anything like the Printworks, it’ll be great for the Liverpool!
By Max
Wow, looks amazing for Liverpool! Can’t wait.
By Jane
This is so exciting! It would be absolutely amazing for the city. Hopefully Liverpool Council actually do it before it goes to Manchester!
By Susan
So many plans for this site…so little actual evidence of renewal..let’s hope this isn’t another false hope
By Tercol
Very exciting, will certainly bring some life back to the Littlewoods building. Good to see some progress.
By Jeffrey
An impressive prelet if it happens. The Littlewoods building has so much potential, so an like this being involved would be fantastic
By Ricky
Great news and things looking a lot more positive now , Rotherham has provided funding to start the project and probably the Liverpool Council CEO and his new development officers having been working flat out to attract investors. This whole area will benefit here ,including Edge Hill Station which can become a rail parkway hub if the Wapping and Waterloo tunnels are re-opened for Merseyrail trains taking them into Central from Wigan etc.
By Anonymous
This is happening and will complete and another game changer for the whole of the North .
By Anonymous
Awwww something else happening in Liverpool that Manchester thinks it entitled too .
Diddums’
By Anonymous
Pretty sure your average Manc only wants to see good thing happen to Liverpool. Lots of positive stories lately
By love thy neighbour
This’ll end up in Manchester, who want’s to go to Liverpool to make a movie or attend anything culturally interesting!?
By Giraffe
Hopefully it goes to plan there’s a plethora of talent in Liverpool just waiting to be tapped would be nice to see edge lane busy with a new industry other than shopping 🛍 😉
By Vincent
The saying goes “get it built and they will come” and this is a prime example. Liverpool now needs to be more confident in itself and stop believing the best it can achieve is playing second fiddle to its neighbour. Remember when we were repeatedly told we did not need our own airport and now almost 5 million people a year use it. Liverpool be ambitious and don’t listen to outside negativity.
By David
Liverpool is a big boy. It needs to get rid of this inferiority complex. One of Europe’s great cities and one of the most creative cities on the planet. This looks terrific and I can’t wait to see this up and running. This building is stunning. Remember though Scousers if it wasn’t for Eccles lad, Sir John Moore, this wouldn’t exist 😂.
By Elephant
Massive news for the city, we’re on a roll of late.
By Cirrus minor.
Even if it’s a Manchester firm doing the actual restoration work this is still great. Ideally yes it would be a Liverpool company but if the choice is between doing it with a Mancunian company or not doing it at all, it’s an easy choice.
By Anonymous
@Giraffe Anyone who wants to make use of the wealth of backdrops and settings the city region provides or visit the multitude of theatres, concert venues, museums and galleries that are here also.
By Liverpool Lou
Totally brilliant news and things are clearly starting to happen with the building and it will be a massive asset to the city and the whole city region when it is all completed. As to who will actually use it re@ Giraffe 3.56pm, just talk to some of the performers and actors and producers who are already coming to our fine city and they cannot speak too highly of the reception they get from everyone in the city. That is why the Littlewoods building will be a massive success.
By Brendan R
It n8eeds to remain as aproposed film studio or enntertainment looking forward hub asking the question what is next
By Frank Artusa
A new dogs home memorial would be great spent many a day there
By Jeff Stanley
I’m sure deals will be signed ‘one way or another’ quite soon. Despite comments from Anonymous 1,2,3 and four.
By Eric
@ Jeff Stanley or better still a remake of Resevoir Dogs.
By Anonymous
Its happening now !!!!
By Anonymous
Just get on with it Liverpool, never mind the back stabbers
By Franco