As you motor into Liverpool, the former Littlewoods pools structure on the right presents itself as one of the city’s most recognised landmarks, but now it may transform into the UK’s cinema epicentre. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
One of the UK’s significant cities could soon inaugurate the ‘Hollywood of the North’ – with one of Britain’s most celebrated buildings at its very centre. And although being the Art Deco focal point for the old Littlewoods pools for many years, the forerunner to the National Lottery, the immense white Liverpool building discreetly aided Britain in securing victory in World War II.
The huge, spacious internal area was one of the few sizable enough in the UK to construct parachutes – and ultimately produced five million ‘chutes vital for deploying Allied soldiers behind enemy lines, during, and subsequent to, D-Day. The recent concept of converting the old Littlewoods building on Edge Lane into a £70m TV and movie studio commenced in December 2023 with planning consent granted in October 2024 – but further millions of pounds are still needed.
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Presently Liverpool City Council Leader Liam Robinson stated discussions will happen with government ministers in February to endeavour to acquire complete government support.
He clarified: “We’re progressing on some of the detailed strategies concerning it and we’ve received an invitation to Downing Street to present to the government.
“We’re completing all of the arrangements for going down… however it’s reasonable to suggest there’s considerable national government attention towards it.
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“We’ve also secured some excellent stakeholders that are genuinely enthusiastic to ensure we make it a triumph.”
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Constructed in 1938, the building embodies Liverpool’s spirit with a remarkable origin story. Numerous individuals possess a narrative relating to the edifice, famously home to the Littlewoods Pools – the antecedent to the National Lottery.
Throughout its peak, 16 million weekly participants profoundly shaped the nation’s interaction with the beautiful game.
It is less widely recognised that the building was critical during World War II, fabricating a vast assortment of items for the war effort, including those 5 million parachutes.
It’s since remained unoccupied for several decades, with a 2018 conflagration jeopardising its prospects, which will intensify the delight when this renowned building is revived to its previous grandeur.
In August it was unveiled that Liverpool-born television producer Jimmy Mulville belonged to a collective collaborating with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and industry specialists to incorporate an education centre at the location.
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Developer Capital & Centric (C&C) also disclosed in the summer that it had commenced discussions about procuring government finances.
C&C cautioned that the expense of executing the scheme “in the current environment surpasses the value of the finalized development”.
Its co-founder Tim Heatley stated that dialogues had been ongoing with ministers to “investigate possible avenues for bridging finance”.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which has thus far pledged up to £17m, mentioned it would liaise with the government, city council and C&C to secure the requisite funding.
Capital & Centric articulated: “The Littlewoods Building is celebrated for its boldly unique 1930s art deco design, boasting nearly a kilometre of stucco-fronted façade.
“It lay dormant for decades under threat of demolition, but now we’re restoring its allure and sophistication.
“We’re transforming it into a first-rate media complex with film & TV studios, in association with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council.
“It’ll fulfil a key function in Liverpool’s subsequent chapter, converting the city into the Hollywood of the North.
“Presently, we’re immersed in the refurbishment process. We’ve emptied the Hangar, along with the East and West wings, to ready them for their comprehensive restoration.
“Owing to safety concerns, the clock tower has been briefly dismantled, but rest assured, it’ll be entirely rebuilt utilising some of the initial components.”
