Crown Works Studios Archives - North East Screen

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and members of the North East Combined Authority have given the green light to a £25 million investment in the region’s screen industry.

At its Cabinet meeting held yesterday (Tuesday 30 July), Mayor McGuiness and local authority leaders approved £25 million to begin preparation on the site at Sunderland Riverside, which will be home to Crown Works Studios, a world-leading film and TV production studio.

The completed development will create up to 8,450 jobs across the North East by 2033. It is forecast that as the studio development and its supply chain grows over the next 10 years, it could add £2 billion to the region’s economy.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:

“The North East is already a hotbed for arts and culture. Today we are sending a message that we will be the home for world-class film and TV production. Our North East has been the backdrop for iconic TV shows and films, and talent and creativity runs through our DNA as a region. Now we will retake our place on screens across the globe.

“We will build a thriving creative economy from the banks of the River Wear and beyond, creating thousands of amazing jobs for local people. Doing so will make our area the home of real opportunity – ending the days where people have to leave the North East to pursue a career in creative industries.“

Cllr Michael Mordey, Cabinet member for Finance and Investment and leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Creative industries represent a huge opportunity for the whole of the North East, and we know that film studios like those proposed for Sunderland Riverside will be absolutely transformational for the city and region, supporting many thousands of jobs and delivering enormous benefits for businesses in the supply chain.

“We’re thrilled that the exciting proposals for studios in Sunderland have captured the imagination of so many people across the North East, and that the city will become home to yet another powerhouse, that will deliver huge advantages for the city, region and UK Plc. We look forward to working closely with the sector and investors on this world-class opportunity.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive, North East Screen commented:

“The North East is currently the fastest growing region in the UK for film and TV production and has seen an 86% increase over the past two years with 2024 already set to create even more jobs for local people. “The Crown Works Studios development will supercharge the North East to become an international film and TV production hotspot, where world class content for global audiences is made all year round.”

If you’re looking to become part of the screen industry supply chain in the North East, contact development@northeastscreen.org

Today’s announcement of the trailblazing devolution deal agreed between the Government and North East in the Spring budget will equip the region with the tools it needs to make the Crown Works Studios development in Sunderland a reality, further proving that there has never been a better time to join the booming screen industry in the North East.

With production in the region already up 28% last year, going against the national picture, the North East Screen Film Office has trebled the production scheduled for 2024, largely thanks to the work of North East Screen Industries Partnership, delivered by North East Screen. The development of the Studios provides the North East with the large-scale infrastructure that is the next step to welcoming productions all year-round, creating a sustainable industry for future years and generations.

In reaction to today’s announcement, Chair of North East Screen, Academy Award winner David Parfitt said “The backing for Sunderland’s Crown Works Studios is significant in ensuring that local industry talent and businesses have a place they can create global film and high-end TV content without having to relocate to other areas of the UK.

My generation had to leave the North East to pursue careers in the creative screen industries. Record investment in local talent from the North East Screen Industries Partnership and major UK broadcasters has started to produce substantial change, but this major investment in a large-scale studio development will take us to the next stage, supporting the incredible talent already working in the North East and bringing others home.”

With the other developments currently happening across the region, today’s announcement supercharges the range of opportunities the region’s screen agency are already providing for homegrown and relocating talent and companies. North East Screen are currently working with a range of industry experts to ensure the region’s production, facilities and service companies are ready to maximise and retain inward investment.

North East Screen’s skills team continue to work with incoming productions to create real bridges to industry and support life-long career development for established crew based in the region. Working with a range of skills providers, including the wider NESIP group, the North East Skills group (represented by education partners) and Screen Alliance North, a BFI skills cluster in partnership with Liverpool Film Office, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire to address wider skills shortages and improve access to quality training for diverse talent and communities; the team will continue to work closely with FulwellCain International and Sunderland City Council as the Crown Works Studio plans come to fruition.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said “With the UK screen industry worth an estimated £12.5 billion in 2023, and regional production already up 28%, to have backing for the Crown Works Studios will supercharge the North East in becoming an international production hotspot, where world class content for global audiences is made all year round. 

“We have world-class locations, we have talented crew, we have indies winning commissions, and we have the support of all our local and combined authority partners to ensure our region is truly filming friendly.

“Studio development will provide the infrastructure we really need to continue the trajectory, attracting major big-budget features, key suppliers and in the process, creating a broader range of opportunities for the people and businesses of the North East.”

To find out more about how North East Screen can support you or your business, please contact us at hello@northeastscreen.org

Tag: Crown Works Studios

North East Mayor approves £25m film and TV industry investment

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and members of the North East Combined Authority have given the green light to a £25 million investment in the region’s screen industry.

Major studio development in Sunderland backed with new tools given to the region in the budget