Progress at £70m Littlewoods film campus

A contractor can be appointed for the high-profile project now that Capital&Centric has formally entered into a partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council.

The signing of the legal agreement between the local authorities and Capital&Centric allows the developer to deliver the first phase of the project to transform the derelict Littlewoods Building into a film and television complex.

Film studio Twickenham is already signed on to be a tenant at the film campus, which will sit off Edge Lane in Liverpool. The studio has agreed to take 85,000 sq ft of the 260,000 sq ft complex. Liverpool John Moores University had originally been set to take 75,000 sq ft at Littlewoods, but ultimately chose not to do so in order to focus on investing in the university’s existing real estate.

John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, called the signing of the legal agreement with the local authorities a “huge moment” for the project and the region.

“Regeneration at this scale is always going to be complex, but the legal agreements are now in place so we can start delivering this transformational project,” Moffat said.

“It has the potential to provide Liverpool’s young people with the opportunity to be part of the UK’s booming film and TV industry, generating millions of pounds for the local economy and creating thousands of jobs for generations to come.”

Before construction can begin, the site requires extensive remediation. This work will take until the end of 2023 to complete, according to estimates by Capital&Centric.

Littlewoods sits off Edge Lane in Liverpool. Credit: via Font Comms

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed £17m to the project, including £8m for remediation, design, and planning.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor Liverpool City Region, said: “Our area has 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. I can’t wait to see work start on the project!”

Liverpool City Region Cllr Sarah Doyle, cabinet member for development and economy, acknowledged that work starting the Littlewoods project has taken longer than anticipated.

“The history of the building has presented some unique challenges and it’s important we get the approach right,” she said. “I’m already looking forward to the next stage when the remediation is complete and we can start looking at delivering world-class studios and education facilities.”