Long-awaited Littlewoods rebirth takes big step forward
Capital&Centric has submitted plans to transform the Liverpool landmark into a TV and film campus, a project that has been many years in the making.
The redevelopment of the Littlewoods complex off Edge Lane will see the 1930s building refurbished, while two new 20,000 sq ft studios will be constructed on adjoining land.
In the main 260,000 sq ft building, Capital&Centric is proposing the creation of offices, workshops, studio support facilities, and an education facility.
In addition, the former canteen, which was housed in a barrel-vaulted hangar, is to be transformed into a multi-purpose screening and performance zone.
This part of the complex will be open to occupiers and the public and will feature five small format cinema screens, an outdoor performance space, and a permanent food hall.
Capital&Centric’s plans include reinstating a working clock on the tower of the building and creating a roof garden. Elsewhere, a new public link between the site and Wavertree Park is planned.
“The Littlewoods Project is all about doubling down on the city being a compelling home for the [TV and film] sector, providing a missing piece of the jigsaw with more indoor studio space and vital support facilities,” said John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric.
“People have known for some time that the site is down to become a TV and film destination, but it’s a massive step forward to work up the detailed plans and show people what we’ve got in store for this iconic site.
He added: “We listened to the feedback from our consultation and have made sure the Littlewoods Project won’t just be buzzing with those working in the creative industries, but will also open up to the community. We’ve done that with the lush gardens and the screening and performance space, where people will, for the first time in the site’s history, be able to visit and hang out.”
A working clock will be reinstated on the tower. Credit: Our Studio
The scheme has been more than five years in the making and suffered a blow last year when Liverpool John Moores University pulled out as one of the scheme’s anchor tenants.
Speaking at the time, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said LJMU’s decision had no impact on the project’s deliverability. Overall LCRCA has committed £17m to the project.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said the scheme would help the city region maintain its role as the “country’s cultural capital”.
“Establishing ourselves as an international hub for film and TV with world-class facilities will be a really important string to our bow,” he said.
“We have become a magnet for film and TV productions from around the world in recent years – making us the UK’s most filmed location outside of London. But I want to take our region to the next level, to stake our claim as the ‘Hollywood of the North’.
“The £17m we’re investing into both Littlewoods and The Depot will be central in turning that ambition into a reality – helping us to cater for every stage of the production process and creating new jobs and training opportunities for local people.”
ShedKM is the architect behind the scheme, Planit is advising on landscape, and Avison Young is the planning consultant.
LJMU pulled out as an anchor tenant last year. Credit: Our Studio
Get it built, it’s an absolute no brainer.
By Anonymous
It looks gorgeous and I’d love to have it in my neighbourhood
By H
Please just get it built for goodness sake
By Anonymous
The white art deco looks very L.A.
By Anonymous
Wasn’t the remediation work to have started by now, haven’t seen or heard of any, this needs to get a move on as we are always waiting for things to happen here along with the cruise terminal, Festival Gardens , Pall Mall .
If C&Cs plans are realised this will provide thousands of jobs and create a stunning building.
By Anonymous
Fantastic news for Liverpool & the North West.
By Mike
Amazing designs! Let’s go and build!!!
By Anonymous
Welcome news, there is so much potential in Liverpool that has been untapped or has been forced to move out of the City because of the lack of facilities.
This will help to unleash the tidal wave of talent in the region.
By Liverpolitis
LRCA is gambling 17 million pounds on recreating Hollywood on Edge Lane. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, dear?
By Anonymous
Brilliant news about one of Liverpool’s iconic buildings. I can’t wait to see it all done and in use as a hub for film and TV production. The images look amazing!
By Brendan R
Any start dates mentioned?
By Liverpool4Progress
Let’s hope this happens soon because it’s both a corker of a building and a scheme.
By Rye&Eggs
I’d lose the ‘Hollywood of the North’ slogan, too many silly labels get a bit cringe worthy but if they actually get something finished here eventually it can only be a good thing.
By Anonymous
Capital and Centric have not done anything with the site for more than 11 years and the Council/Urban Splash had it and nothing happened for the 8 years prior.
It would be great if it happens but like with a lot of public backed schemes in Liverpool, very often it stays at the CGi, talking and back patting stages….
By Edge Lane
This looks fantastic, love the work C&C are doing
By Jon P
This is liverpool remember- another empty and derelict building that will still empty and derelict in another five years time
By Stuart wood
If this comes off that area around Edge Lane/Edge Hill could take off big time. We already have Macbeth playing at the Depot for the next 5 weeks which is a big coup. Edge Hill station could become our Clapham Junction with passengers changing from long-distance trains onto Merseyrail via the Wapping and Victoria tunnels, also there is plenty of room near the station for high-density residential.
By Anonymous
Pipe dreams
By Anonymous
Golden opportunity but Liverpool Leadership has zero ambition
By Anonymous
Liverpool the country’s ” cultural capital ” ? This sort of blatant lying does nothing to help Liverpool and its people . Stop being delusional and try living in the real world.
By Anonymous
Iconic to Liverpool a National Treasure the building design is a one off the Clock is the 3rd Largest in the Country it must be SAVE at all Costs !
By FJ SINNOTT
Fantastic news for LCR. The key will be ensuring the whole LCR benefit from the marvelous work set to go on here.
By Norman Plumpton-Walsh
When will our civic leaders realise that making grandiloquent claims about our city that don’t bear even the lightest scrutiny just make them (and us) look stupid? Yes, we have great cultural infrastructure, but ‘the UK’s cultural capital?’ And there was me thinking Steve got to London quite a bit.
By Anonymous
This is just fantastic new for Liverpool and the North .
By Anonymous
So many words for so many years,and each year the state of the building gets worse. Get it started! Would be nice to keep a traditional clock face to go with the Deco building. Hope to not be reading another piece like this in 2 years time.
By Anonymous
Yes, the cultural capital. The oldest Chinese community in Europe, the oldest black community in Europe, the most (and only majority) Catholic city in England, the largest cathedral in England, the oldest intercity passenger railway in the world, more Georgian architecture than anywhere outside of Bath, more listed buildings than anywhere outside of London, more public statues and sculptures than anywhere outside of Westminster.
By Anonymous
There should be some 🌴 Palm trees in that garden to make it look awesome and filmy and glitzy. Remove those bland English trees and and insert some Palm trees to have better effect and experience.
By ZiffZaff
So much negativity on every Liverpool post WOW they seem worried !!!!
By Anonymous
Literally every comment is positive
By Gilly
Well it’s a nice old building and will be a great asset if or when it happens, but calm down lads calm down! Let’s just hope it happens.
By Anonymous
Well at least the CGI looks nice, I’m sure it’ll brighten up Edge lane one day after we’re all dead and gone.
By DH
C&C have good track record of delivering in Manchester and surrounding towns so assuming they get support from local leaders they should make this a great success.
By Anonymous