Government commits £20m to Littlewoods creative campus in Liverpool

The Government has pledged £20m towards turning Liverpool’s Littlewoods building into a creative production campus expected to support hundreds of jobs.

The money comes from the Government’s Growth Mission Fund and was referred to by Chancellor John Healey in the Budget today. It moves forward plans to convert the landmark building into a national hub for film, TV, gaming, immersive technology and the digital sector.

Subject to approval of the final business case, the investment will help unlock a 260,000 sq ft development bringing studios, innovation space, education and support services together on one site.

Next phase

The funding opens the way for the next stage of the scheme. Work is due to begin on site from spring 2027, starting with infrastructure and early works on the existing building.

The goal is a Liverpool Creative Campus that acts as a major centre for creative production and technology. Once fully operational it is expected to support around 630 permanent jobs and add an estimated £56 million a year to the economy.

The city region’s creative economy is already a big source of jobs and growth, with more than 6,500 digital and creative businesses employing 51,000 people. Screen, music and gaming are particular strengths.

Liverpool Film Office has helped more than 1,600 productions since 2019, worth around £150m to the local economy.

The project is intended to help Liverpool keep a larger share of the jobs, investment and economic benefit created by its existing businesses and fast-growing creative sector.

Education facility

The plans also include ScreenWorks Liverpool, a specialist post-16 education centre for up to 800 students. It would focus on film and screen studies and give young people a direct route into creative industry jobs across the city region and the North West.

Students would learn alongside working businesses and productions, using industry-standard facilities, with clearer paths into apprenticeships, jobs and starting their own businesses.

Reaction

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “We’ve never been short of creative talent in our part of the world. From music and film to gaming and digital technology, we’ve got people and businesses doing incredible things – and I want to make sure more of the jobs and opportunities that come with that success stay right here in our region.

“Littlewoods is an iconic part of Liverpool’s history but we’d love to see it playing a part in our future too. This funding is a welcome step forward for a project with the potential to build on our strengths and create more good jobs and opportunities for local people.”

Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Hat Trick Productions, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for Liverpool and the UK’s creative industries. The combination of state-of-the-art production facilities, innovation space and education provision under one roof has the potential to create something genuinely unique.

“Liverpool already has an outstanding reputation as a filming destination; the Liverpool Creative Campus will help take that success to the next level.

“Hat Trick has been proud to play a role in helping shape the vision for the Liverpool Creative Campus, and we believe the transformation of the iconic Littlewoods site can become a catalyst for a new generation of creative businesses, talent and productions. The Government’s support is a strong vote of confidence in Liverpool’s creative future and in the city’s potential to become one of the UK’s leading centres for screen production and innovation.”