HCA backs Littlewoods Building film studio proposal
Developer Capital & Centric and the Homes & Communities Agency are in advanced discussions with Liverpool City Council to create a 12-acre production complex next to the Littlewoods Building on Edge Lane.
A report on Littlewoods Studios Liverpool is due to be considered by the council’s Cabinet next week. The facility will contain a new home for Liverpool Theatre School, currently based in Aigburth. There will also be space for the city’s creative community, designed as an overflow of the successful Baltic Triangle district near the city centre.
The government’s Film Office found that in 2014-2015 the city missed out on a potential £20m filming revenue due to capacity issues in the city.
The production facility will contain 30,000 sq ft sound stages in a building with up to 50 foot ceiling heights.
The Littlewoods Building and adjacent land is currently owned by the HCA, which would sell its interest to the city council.
If the report is approved, work on the £25m project is expected to start immediately. The former Littlewoods Pools Building has been vacant since 2003. Capital & Centric recently completed the £4m conversion of the Bunker Building on the wider site, 20,000 sq ft of speculative office space, attracting digital and creative companies. The company will continue to work onsite and take direct ownership of the site with a 250-year lease from the council.
Michelle Rothwell from Capital & Centric said: “The Littlewoods Buildings is part of the history of Liverpool, with more than 2,000 people working there at one time. We’re really looking forward to bringing back to life what is an incredible and fascinating part of Liverpool’s heritage. We love converting buildings, they’re perfect for creating an inspiring destination, with co-working space, cool cafes and restaurants, and an environment to help businesses grow.”
Carl Moore, HCA head of area for the Liverpool City Region, said: “Using our land to help meet housing and growth priorities in Liverpool is central to our business and our local approach. We have been working with Liverpool City Council towards bringing this iconic building back into use and towards realising the film and media hub, which is a Mayoral Priority.”
Great piece of news this, just what the City and the ernormous amount of talent in it needs to exploit their skills, and make it flourish. lets hope it all goes to plan.
By Man on bicycle
Wonderful art deco building, perfect location on the ‘Edge Hill’ above Liverpool for a film studio. When you take into account a possible new mainline station nearby, some of Liverpool’s digital industries not far off and the wonderful period and iconic settings within spitting distance this could all add up to a great future for this highly visible district above the city centre. It borders on the Wavertree technology park too, which will give the area lots of room to grow.
By Paul Blackburn
Yes, Paul,a wonderful building, lets hope it brings this part of the area back to life.
As children we would play in the park and visit the dogs home next to Littlewoods.
With it’s regeneration and anticipated activity planned, it will help animate the area and park for all.
By Man on bicycle
And the old Botanic Gardens next door too. A very historic site – Liverpool’s second Botanic Garden I think after William Roscoe moved them up the hill. It’s an area with a lot of character!
By Paul Blackburn (Chester)
Yes, seems a long time ago now, playing on the swings in the late 50’s…
It was a rare green space in Old Edge Hill, hope the area improves now, perhaps the park could
be used for location shots too?
By Man on bicycle