Construction of film studios may start 'by spring'

2 days ago

Jason Arunn MurugesuNorth East and Cumbria

Real estate advisor CBRE was appointed to find a new investor for Crown Works Studios

Crown Works Studios An aerial view of how the new film studios could look. The image shows the River Wear curving through the landscape, while new studio buildings sit along its banks. — Real estate advisor CBRE was appointed to find a new investor for Crown Works Studios

The construction of a £450m film studio is expected to start by the spring despite the fact a new investor has yet to be confirmed.

It is hoped Crown Works Studios in Sunderland will make north-east England a hub for the film and television industry, but its development hit a major hurdle when one of its investors pulled out in June.

Sunderland City Council hired real estate firm CBRE to find new private backers but bids have yet to be reviewed, a spokesperson said.

The authority said the ambition remained to build the studio in a "phased" manner to capitalise on "pent-up demand" for studio space in the region.

Sunderland City Council leader Michael Mordey said the North East Combined Authority's decision to designate a "creative development zone" in the city in December will "unlock" the first phase of the film studios' construction.

This move was backed by £300,000 in funding from NECA and the equivalent amount from the local authority.

Mordey said remediation works on the site were nearly complete and that construction was expected to begin "by spring".

The complex will be built on former shipyard sites on the banks of the Wear

Crown Works Studio Artist's impression of Crown Works Studio. A row of large, red studio buildings run along the bank of the river. A circular building stands to the right, and has a large sign on it's roof. — The complex will be built on former shipyard sites on the banks of the Wear

The development will have an 80-acre (32-hectare) site on the banks of the River Wear turned into a 1.5 million sq ft (139,355 sq m) film complex.

The government has provided £25m towards the project, while the council and the North East mayoral authority has committed to investing £120m in the scheme.

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