Liverpool’s iconic Littlewoods building is set to be transformed into a film studio complex dubbed “the Hollywood of the North,” with politicians and developers expressing confidence in securing the necessary funding for the project.
The art deco-style building, once the headquarters of the Littlewoods Football Pools in the 1930s, has been earmarked for redevelopment by developer Capital and Centric. The project, which is expected to create 3,000 jobs and bring millions of pounds to the Merseyside economy, has received a commitment of £17m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who visited the site on Edge Lane, just outside the city center, expressed his ambition for the project and his intention to seek additional funding from the government. Rotheram emphasized the importance of the investment, stating that it would provide a quick return for UK Plc.
Despite challenges such as a recent fire and the removal of the building’s unstable clock tower, developers remain optimistic about the project’s potential. A planning application for the scheme is expected to be considered by Liverpool council’s planning committee later this year, with the studios projected to be completed by 2027.
The transformation of the Littlewoods building into a film studio complex represents a significant opportunity for Liverpool to establish itself as a hub for the film industry, creating economic growth and job opportunities for the region.
