Liverpool is aiming to be a 24/7 film city with its first purpose-built sound stages, which have officially been named The Depot.

The name takes inspiration from the location’s history as a former bus site for Merseyside Transport Limited.

Adjacent to the famous Littlewoods Building, off Edge Lane, The Depot is seen as critical to Liverpool’s strategy to cement its reputation as one of Europe’s premier film and TV production hubs.

Liverpool is one of the major film destinations in the UK and, despite the pandemic, it is experiencing the busiest period for film and TV production on record.

The city is currently hosting several well known productions such as ITV’s remake of The Ipcress File, BBC’s Peaky Blinders and The Responder, starring Martin Freeman.

Big-money blockbusters, such as Warner Bros’ The Batman, will also use the studio as well as high-end TV dramas such as Netflix’s The Irregulars, Channel 4’s Help, BBC’s Time and Sky’s COBRA.

The Depot is one of the significant projects earmarked in Liverpool’s Recovery Plan to stimulate the city’s post-pandemic economy.

It is predicted The Depot will initiate a £24m economic boost for the regional economy, creating 360 new jobs and 760 indirect jobs.

It is expected that the sound stages will be operational by Summer 2021.

Councillor Wendy Simon, Acting Mayor of Liverpool, said: “I think The Depot is a perfect name for these studios – as it’s a place where ideas will come to life and will make the magic we enjoy on the screen.

“The Depot is also a signpost to the city’s future – one built on a creative and
knowledge-based workforce.

“The topping out of The Depot is an exciting moment in the journey to
realising Liverpool’s ambition to be a 24/7 film city.

“There’s already a huge amount of interest to book these studios, which underlines
their value, but they will also prove to be a fabulous asset for training and nurturing talent in Liverpool.”

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I’ve long said our region is the country’s creative capital, and we’re investing to make sure it stays that way.

“We’ve approved an investment of £17m to support the new stages, along with the Littlewood Film and TV studios, and it’s fantastic to see the new production facilities topped
out.

“The Liverpool City Region is already an obvious choice for what we can offer in front of the camera, with a wealth of creative talent and stunning backdrops.

“Now we can be a worldwide filming destination for what we offer behind the camera too, with world-class facilities that mean productions can be shot, edited and finished without having to leave the region.”

Richard Potts, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, who are building the stages said: “The topping out of The Depot is not just a key moment in the construction of these brilliant new sound stages but also a milestone in how our city can flourish in the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Liverpool’s magnificent architecture means it has long attracted film and TV productions from all over the world.

“Now, with The Depot the city will be even more attractive to the creative industries,
resulting in significant investment and the opportunity to create valuable jobs for local people.

“It’s a pleasure for our team to work on another development in the city that will help shape its future for many years to come.”

 

 

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