FulwellCain Studios, a joint venture between James Corden’s entertainment company Fulwell 73 and real estate investor Cain International, has announced plans for the Crown Works Studios in Sunderland.
The joint venture plans to develop a 1.68 million sq ft film industry hub with 20 sound stages suitable for feature film and HETV productions. The scheme - which requires support from Government to go ahead - will be delivered in three phases, with work set to start in 2023 and the final phase set to complete by 2027.
Subject to planning processes, Crown Works Studios will stand on land on the banks of the river Wear, which played a critical role throughout the industrial revolution, when the city was a shipbuilding powerhouse.
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The joint venture said that the studios would help to meet the growing demand for studio space in the UK and could generate £334m for the local economy each year.
In a statement, Fulwell 73’s partners Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, Leo Pearlman, Ben Winston and James Corden said, “We are unified in our belief that there is a unique opportunity to bring further high-end production to the UK through this ambitious Sunderland based studio project; putting the region on the map as a global production destination.”
Crown Works Studios will include production workshops and office space, a vendor village for supply chain businesses, administrative and social facilities, a multi-storey car park and an extensive backlot.
The project is supported by Sunderland City Council, which has brought together a number of key partners to work with the investors to shape plans including around the development of the skills-base needed to support the scheme.
The scheme is in addition to already announced plans for Shipyard Studios which will support a wider cluster of film and media activity.
Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “These are absolutely unparalleled proposals that – if approved - will reinvent the Sunderland economy, establishing the city as home to a modern and growing industry that will create jobs and opportunities for thousands of people across the North East.
“This is a vote of confidence for the city and its people – recognising Sunderland’s history of innovation and of making things. We have been working on these plans with Fulwell 73 and Cain for many months, so it’s absolutely brilliant to finally be in position to unveil them, and to demonstrate the scale of ambition we have for this city. It’s absolutely transformational and something we’re determined to see through.”
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