UK Govt Commits £20m To Littlewoods Film Studios Redevelopment

The UK government has allocated £20m to transform Liverpool's derelict Littlewoods building into a film and television production hub.

Announced in this week's Budget, the money will come from the government's Growth Mission Fund. The scheme, designed for developer Capital & Centric and approved by Liverpool City Council two years ago, aims to revitalise the Grade II-listed Art Deco landmark.

Under current plans, the site would become a 260,000 sq ft creative campus featuring two 20,000 sq ft studios for large-scale productions, as well as office space, workshops, studio support facilities and an education centre.

It remains unclear whether the pledge will meet the project's total funding needs. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, had previously sought £50m in government support, while the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed up to £17m towards the scheme.

Proposals to convert the former Littlewoods complex have been in discussion since 2017 but have encountered repeated delays. Liverpool City Council said the new investment would support the wider redevelopment of the site, known as the Liverpool Creative Campus.

Once fully operational, the Liverpool Creative Campus is expected to support around 630 permanent jobs and generate an estimated £56m a year for the economy.

The Growth Mission Fund is set to invest £240m between 2026–27 and 2029–30 in projects intended to boost job creation and economic regeneration in local communities.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "This is a huge moment for Liverpool and the region and a major vote of confidence in the city's future… There is still work to do and further funding to secure, but this government backing gives us real momentum and brings us significantly closer to delivering our vision for the Liverpool Creative Campus."

The Littlewoods studio project was recently discussed at the Creative Cities Convention in Liverpool, which also featured the first speech from Channel 4's new CEO and sessions on strengthening working-class voices.