The team behind plans to turn the former Littlewoods building on Liverpool’s Edge Lane into a Hollywood-ready destination for TV and film are calling on locals to have their say on the restoration.

Social impact developers Capital&Centric have revealed more details about their plans for the iconic 1930s building to include new studio spaces; workspaces and workshops for the industry; alongside a screening and performance zone that’s open to the public.

They’ve launched a month-long consultation on the £70 million repurposing of the whole site, as well as revealing details of the Littlewoods Film & Food Fest – a one-off charity event in the neighbouring The Depot on Saturday 15 July. 

Having already developed projects in the city including Bunker and Tempest, they’re now working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council, as the landowner, to bring forward the site, with work to clean up the building and prep the site for development set to start this summer.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed £17m to develop The Depot – two 22,000 sq ft film and TV studios now open off Liverpool’s Edge Lane – and larger studios in the adjacent Littlewoods building as part of its vision to turn the city region into the ‘Hollywood of the North’.

Kick-starting the consultation, Capital&Centric have unveiled more about what’s in store as they draw-up a planning application to be submitted to the local planning authority.

The existing building features three distinct sections – the east and west wings, which are separated by the Hangar, a 1960s add-on. The plans include:

  • For the existing buildings to feature spaces such as offices, options for hotel rooms/accommodation for crew, an education facility, roof terrace with city views, as well as workshops and studio support facilities.
  • Two new build 20,000 sq.ft studios on the site, adjacent to the existing buildings, providing space for big budget productions to film.
  • A screening and performance zone set within the existing hangar and open to the public. It will feature four cinema screens, a performance space and a foodhall.

Capital&Centric are also proposing a lush, green courtyard for the community, with a link through to the neighbouring Botanic Gardens.