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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Nick Tyrrell

Pop up Liverpool film studios set to get council go ahead

Liverpool Council is set to approve the financing of a pop-up film studio next to the former Littlewoods building.

The council is looking to build two 20,000 sq ft studios in what it hopes will act as a catalyst for the development of a new "Hollywood of the North".

The proposals were submitted for planning approval by the council last month. Announcing the plans, mayor Joe Anderson said demand for the city among production companies had reached a "tipping point", requiring greater investment in new facilities.

It came just after Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) was announced as the educational partner for Littlewoods Film and TV Studios last week.

The studios could be finished as early as April next year if planning approval is attained quickly.

A report to the council's cabinet says: "The Pop Up studios will be a quick turnaround solution and provide the City with a ready to go facility which will attract productions, help support the visitor and hotel economy and allow Liverpool to kick start some of the proposals set out in the Screen Liverpool Workforce Strategy. The project will provide a solid foundation for the long term success of the Littlewoods Film and TV Studios proposed on the adjacent site

"The proposed Pop Up studios will be on site in advance of the Littlewoods scheme and enable the Liverpool Film Office to meet existing demand as the film and TV industry quickly try to restart filming and production. The project is working to a tight timescale to be open by April 2021 and a planning application has recently been submitted."

Morgan Sindall Construction is set to carry out the work pending funding being approved and it is estimated the scheme will create 360 new jobs.

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Financial support is set to come primarily through Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government also having agreed to fund part of the project in principle.

The council's cabinet will meet next week to approve the plans.

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