North East Screen welcomes the announcement of Sunderland as a Creative Mayoral Development Zone, backed by £600,000 of investment from the North East Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council.
The commitment will accelerate the next phase of Riverside Sunderland’s regeneration, including progress on Crown Works Studios. The development zone will unlock new space for creative businesses, support commercial and housing projects, and strengthen the city’s role as a growing creative capital for the North.
Crown Works Studios will provide world-class film and television production facilities, creating skilled jobs and ensuring that talent can build sustainable careers here in the North East.
The announcement builds on strong sector growth. Over the last three years, the region’s production spend has increased by 131%, contributing £65.00 million in GVA and supporting over 1,000 jobs. The development zone will help sustain this progress and support the ambitions set out in the region’s Local Growth Plan.
Alongside the wider regeneration of Riverside Sunderland, where North East Screen is based, the zone strengthens the foundations for a vibrant creative economy anchored in the city.
Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive, North East Screen:
This is a huge moment for the North East. Sunderland’s Creative Zone and Crown Works Studios will transform our screen industry, bringing world-class facilities, numerous jobs and opportunities for talent to stay and thrive in the region. We’ve seen a 131% rise in production spend in the last three years. This is all about continuing that momentum and putting the North East on the global production map.
Read more about the announcement: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/news/culture-creative-tourism-and-sport/new-mayoral-development-zone-provides-600-000-boost-to-sunderland-s-future-as-a-creative-capital
