Liverpool John Moores University, one of the main tenants of the new film studios project has pulled out of the development.
The university said that it would be focusing on its existing facilities, rather than moving into the former Littlewoods building. It was originally planning to take 75,000sq ft of space.
“Screen, creative, digital and media disciplines are an important part of our portfolio; to provide our digital and creative arts students with an exceptional university experience, we will continue to invest in our existing city campus facilities, but will not be leasing space in the Littlewoods project,” said an LJMU spokesperson.
“We will remain an active and close partner, committed to working in partnership with the film office, the city, the combined authority and the film industry locally to support inclusive growth in this sector.”
It’s the latest set-back for the city’s “game-changing” film and television studios, which developers hope will become one of Europe’s “premier TV and film hubs.” In 2018 a fire engulfed the building and it has remained vacant ever since.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed £17m to the project and is due to approve an £8m “remediation phase” shortly to help Capital&Centric continue developing the site.
Liverpool City Council said that while LJMU’s decision was “regrettable” it would “make no material difference to the planned remediation.”
Twickenham Studios is the other anchor tenant, taking 85,000sq ft.
Capital&Centric and the City Council said they were now seeking another education provider to be part of the project.
“The legal agreements are almost in place for us to kick start this massive regeneration project that will cement Liverpool’s position at the forefront of the UK’s film and TV industry, generate millions of pounds for the local economy and provide exciting job opportunities for generations to come,” said John Moffat of C&C.
Outside of London, Liverpool is the country’s most popular filming location and the news comes as experts predict a filming boom in the UK, as Hollywood studios take advantage of the falling pound.
