The proposals for the Council-owned site involve the restoration and repurposing of the 1930s Edge Lane structure, with submissions made by the social impact developers last year. The company has recently finished the enabling works, and securing this planning approval marks a significant milestone for the project.
Subject to the next tranche of funding being agreed, the go ahead from the council will kick start the main restoration works, including two new 20,000 sq.ft studios for big budget productions, as well as spaces for offices, workshops, studio support facilities and an education facility.
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The site, which holds many memories for locals, will now be opened up and made accessible to surrounding communities. The former canteen which was housed in a barrel-vaulted hangar is to be transformed into a multi-purpose screening and performance zone, which will be for the use of occupiers on site, and then open up to the public out of hours. It’ll feature five small format cinema screens, an outdoor performance space and permanent foodhall.
John Moffat, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, said: "This is a huge moment for Littlewoods and for the city as we now have the green light to deliver the Hollywood of the North. Liverpool already has a reputation as a world-class filming destination.
"The Littlewoods Project will take it to the next level, providing much-needed indoor studio space and support facilities. You can’t underestimate what this means for local people – me among them – not only seeing this iconic building brought back to life, but bolstering the city’s creative credentials and creating jobs and careers for generations. It’s the moment everyone’s been waiting for."
Capital&Centric is working with Liverpool City Council as freeholder of the site and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as project funders. The Combined Authority, led by Mayor Steve Rotheram, has committed up to £17m to the project.
It is anticipated that the Littlewoods Project will bring around 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the region’s creative sector.
