Work has officially begun to convert the Liverpool’s iconic 1930s Littlewoods building into a major film and TV studio. 

The campus, on Edge Lane, is being developed by Capital&Centric; the company is working with Liverpool City Council as freeholder of the site and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as funders.

The official work started yesterday (12 December) with a remediation team ready to strip out the buildings and secure their structural integrity, preparing them for repurposing and restoration.

This first phase of work – expected to run until next summer – will prepare the facility for main contractors to move in, with two new 20,000sq.ft studios for big-budget productions the first to be constructed on the neighbouring land.

Councillor Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The remediation of the Littlewoods Building is a watershed moment for Liverpool’s TV and film industry.

“It marks the end of all the talking about the vision for this iconic site and the beginning of the action to make the dream a reality. Today is like going from script readings to first day of shooting.

“The excitement and anticipation of what’s to come is palpable. Yes, there’s some hurdles still to clear, but we know what the ending looks like and how to get there. I can’t wait for the day it opens and people get inside to start making their own film-making dreams come true and showcasing Liverpool’s phenomenal ability to make magic happen on screen.”

Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The past few years have seen our area become a backdrop to some of the biggest film and TV productions on our screens. It’s safe to say that we’re building an enviable reputation as the most filmed location outside of London – but I’m never content with resting on our laurels.

“The £17m we’ve invested into Littlewoods and The Depot will ensure that our area can continue to cater for every stage of the production process and attract the thousands of jobs and training opportunities it will bring with it. Today takes us one massive step closer to turning that vision into reality and staking our claim as the Hollywood of the North and I can’t wait to see this development start to take shape.”

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed up to £17m to develop The Depot – two film and TV studios now open off Liverpool’s Edge Lane and managed by Liverpool Film Office – and larger studios in the adjacent Littlewoods building as part of a vision to turn the city region into the ‘Hollywood of the North’.

The planned new sound stages would take around a year to be built and become operational. Capital&Centric submitted a planning application last month, with Liverpool City Council expected to determine the plans in early 2024.

Liverpool has a well-established reputation as a film-friendly destination, with its plethora of grand civic buildings often doubling for London. The city recently hosted filming on the much-anticipated Sexy Beast prequel series (pictured) for Paramount+ with the production based at The Depot.

Littlewoods project artist’s impression via Capital&Centric
Sexy Beast photo credit: Matt Towers/Paramount+.