A set of proposed purpose-built film and television studios dubbed the “Hollywood of the North” has received the green light from the city’s planning committee and will be operational by Spring 2021.
The confirmation announcement, published on Liverpool City Council’s news site, is a cultural milestone for the city, as the two 20,000 square foot sound studios based near the Littlewoods Building are the first purpose-built film studios in Liverpool.
It is being overseen by the Liverpool City Council Film Office, which is the first film studio in Europe owned by a local authority.
Projects that are set to begin filming in Liverpool offices and studios include The Batman, by Warner Bros, Viewpoint by ITV and Tin Star: Liverpool by Sky. Even during the current circumstances, Netflix’s Munich 38, as well as Sky’s COBRA, have been filmed in Liverpool.
This is the last major administrative hurdle for the studios after a £17m investment by the Liverpool Combined Authority was approved that would support these new stages as well as the famous Littlewoods Film and Television studios.
The hope for the new studios is to kick off a film revolution in the city and enable a new generation of young film talent to thrive in Liverpool, much like we have seen young musical talent and young sporting talent thrive in the city.
Liverpool City Council has contracted the building work to Morgan Sindall, who will commence construction before the end of December, with the work set to complete by the end of March 2021.