Liverpool: Hollywood of the North
You could have a lot of fun playing with ‘Liverwood’ or ‘Hollypool’ but in December 2023 a dream turned into reality as work began on creating a go-to location for filmmakers in a city that is already the second most-filmed location outside London.
Location Destination
Just off Edge Lane, over 25,000 square metres of the 1938 art deco Littlewoods Building are being prepared for repurposing and restoration in a £70 million development to:
regenerate the iconic Littlewoods building, originally the headquarters of the football pools empire, restoring its historic character while equipping it with modern facilities – look out for the return of the famous clock
add two 20,000 square foot studios for film and TV production on neighbouring land
add a public screen and performance space and food hall
attract millions of pounds in investment and provide thousands of opportunities for local talent and those in the creative sectors
offer spaces for offices, workshops, studio support and education facilities.
A Film-Friendly City
Liverpool’s rise as a premier filming location can be attributed to several factors:
Architectural diversity = versatility: Liverpool’s stunning architecture offers many filming locations as its range of Georgian, Victorian and contemporary buildings can easily double for many international settings
Historic landmarks = authenticity: the Royal Albert Dock near Liverpool Water’s, St George’s Hall and the Liverpool Cathedral have featured in numerous productions, adding a unique character to film and TV projects
Supportive infrastructure = growth: the Liverpool Film Office provides extensive support to production companies, helping with location scouting, permits and logistics – a streamlined process that attracts both domestic and international filmmakers; not to mention the £17 million the local authority is putting into the Littlewood’s project and has put into The Depot – two film and TV studios off Edge Lane, which opened in 2021 and have hosted Ralph Fiennes’ Macbeth.
Blockbusters in Liverpool
We could turn this into a quiz, but you’d only go online for the answers, so here is a short list of some notable films and TV series that have been shot in the city:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Liverpool’s iconic streets and buildings provided the perfect backdrop for scenes in this beloved fantasy series
The Batman: The city’s gothic architecture was prominently featured, with St George’s Hall and the Liver Building standing in for parts of Gotham City
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: several locations around Liverpool recreated 1920s New York
Peaky Blinders: although set in post-World War I Birmingham, many key scenes were filmed against Liverpool’s period architecture
Captain America: The First Avenger: the Stanley Dock, close to our Liverpool Development, Aquitania doubled for 1940s New York – yet another era
Fast & Furious 6: dynamic urban landscapes provided key scenes for this action-packed film
I Can See You (Taylor's Version): Taylor Swift's popular music video was shot around Liverpool, further cementing the city’s reputation in the music and film industries.
Get Ready for the Red Carpet
Liverpool's transformation into the Hollywood of the North is on its way as these world-class studio facilities will attract even more high-profile film and TV productions. This development will foster a vibrant ecosystem in Liverpool for filmmakers, producers and creative professionals. Liverpool is set to shine even brighter on the global stage. Get ready, as its magic rolls out the red carpet to the world!
