Landmark building to be transformed in 'huge moment' for city

The redevelopment of Liverpool's Littlewoods building will take the city's “world class” filming credentials “to the next level” according to those behind the scheme. This week, Liverpool Council’s planning committee formally approved the £70m refurbishment of the famous white building off Edge Lane in a move that officials hope could bring thousands of jobs to the city.

In November last year, developers Capital&Centric formally lodged their intentions to overhaul the historic but rundown site into a “Hollywood of the North” TV and film studio. John Moffat, the developer’s joint managing director, described the planning decision as a “huge moment” for the building and the city.

READ MORE: 'Exceptional' museum revamp signed off as closure date confirmed

READ MORE: 'First of its kind' event will bring millions to Liverpool

The city council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority committed to the reimagining of the 1930s site that could be worth up to £70m with initial tranche of £8m for preparatory works signed off in 2022. The building is divided into three sections including the east and west wings, separated by a 1960s addition, the Hangar.

The existing buildings would be used as office space, hotel accommodation for crew, an education facility and roof terrace. Two 20,000 sq ft studios would be installed with a former canteen previously housed in a barrel-vaulted hangar would be transformed into a multi-purpose screening and performance zone, featuring five small format cinema screens, an outdoor performance space and permanent foodhall.

Mr Moffat said: “This is a huge moment for Littlewoods and for the city as we now have the green light to deliver the Hollywood of the North. Liverpool already has a reputation as a world-class filming destination.

“The Littlewoods Project will take it to the next level, providing much-needed indoor studio space and support facilities. You can’t underestimate what this means for local people – me among them – not only seeing this iconic building brought back to life, but bolstering the city’s creative credentials and creating jobs and careers for generations. It’s the moment everyone’s been waiting for.”

A public link between the site and Wavertree Park is also planned outside of the application. Developers want to enhance the long-derelict site’s green credentials with a courtyard available to the community, with landscaping that will pay homage to screen stars past and present.

The site was acquired by C&C in 2018 when plans were announced to regenerate the site, with hopes it could open by 2026. Work began earlier this year on the demolition of the historic clock tower sat between the two main buildings.

Digital analysis of laser monitoring - placed on the tower to track its movement and condition - has confirmed how in its current condition the tower is unsafe and could collapse if left. The intention is to rebuild the tower in the same spot, reusing elements of the original from the overhaul of the site that was built in 1938 following the rapid expansion of the Littlewoods Pools business.

It has sat derelict for the past 30 years with its design drawn up by Scottish architect Gerald de Courcy Fraser, who was also behind the grade II Lewis’ Ltd department store in the city centre and the “dramatic” flat iron Premier Building on Church Street which currently houses Lloyds Bank. The planned new sound stages will take around a year to be built and become operational.

The programme for repurposing the existing building is longer due to the complexity of dealing with the existing structures.