The North East is set to become a “production powerhouse” after securing government funding for a film and TV studio that developers claim will create more than 8,000 jobs.
The government and the North East have agreed a devolution deal to enable the building of Crown Works Studios in Sunderland, with the city’s council and a North East Mayoral Combined Authority investing up to £120m towards the project.
In total, the deal leverages £450m of private funding for the studios.
Pending planning permission, work is set to begin this summer on the first six of 20 planned sound stages, which are expected to be completed by 2028.
The full site expects to attract global productions worth £644m a year, generating £336m in annual economic growth.
While TV shows such as Vera, Geordie Shore and The Witcher as well as the Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and Transformers movie franchises, have filmed across North East locations, the region has to date lacked a permanent studio infrastructure.
Fulwell 73 managing partner Leo Perlman, who has been part of the negotiations, hailed the “trailblazing” deal.
"At the centre of our plan is a pioneering training strategy that will transform lives and create new opportunities throughout the North East, kick starting a creative revolution that enables the region to play a leading role in our most exciting sector,” he said.
