Work could start on a new multi million pound film studio development in the near future, The Liverpool Echo reports. The former Littlewoods Pools building while overlooks the Wavertree Botanic Park is one of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings, but it has stood empty for several decades.
Plans were approved last year to convert the building into a film studio, plus new office space and media facilities for creative enterprises. Work is still ongoing to approve the final costings, and it is hoped that initial surveys and investigations could begin either later this year, or early in 2023.
The leaseholders of the building are Capital and Centric, and they are partnering with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to fund the £70 million project.
Speaking about the progress with the legal agreements, John Moffat, Capital & Centric said: “Littlewoods will become one of the biggest film and television complexes in the UK, cementing Liverpool’s position at the forefront of the UK’s creative industry.”
He added: “One of the city’s largest regeneration projects, it’ll generate millions of pounds for the local economy and provide young people with career opportunities in a hugely exciting and growing industry. The legal agreements are almost in place which will enable us to kick-start the delivery of our vision.”
The striking white-rendered Art Deco style building was constructed in 1938 for Littlewoods, and it was requisitioned by the government during WWII to manufacture parts for war planes, and for printing operations. It was returned to Littlewoods after the war, but has remained empty since they moved out in 1994.
In 2018, a fire caused significant damage to the interior, which will make regeneration work more challenging. However, the project is set to go ahead, with Liverpool John Moores University on board as a training and education partner.
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