Works starts to rescue the iconic Littlewoods building Art Deco facade

Work has started to rescue the iconic Art Deco façade of the Littlewoods building as developers prepare to transform it into a huge film and TV campus.

Developers Capital & Centric moved onto the Edge Lane site at the end of last year to start the first phase of restoration of the 1930s Littlewoods building.

Plans to create the Hollywood of the north centre around the former Littlewoods Football Pools HQ and the adjacent The Depot, housing studios and sound stages designed to attract some of the biggest productions from the UK and worldwide.

The latest stage of the project will focus on almost a kilometre of façade, removing the damaged hangar canopy and securing as much of the original exterior as possible so it’s structurally sound and ready to be converted.

What was already a mammoth task was made even more complex by the damage caused by a fire in the building in 2018. It was saved from collapse, although there was quite a bit of remediation needed to one of the wings in particular.

But the Capital & Centric team is confident that the initial work should be completed by the summer.

Then, if a planning application currently being considered by the council is approved, that will pave the way for the main construction and fit-out phase with two new 20,000 sqft production studios, offices, workshops, studio support and an education facility as well as the reinstating of the famous clock tower.

Plans would also see the former canteen transformed into a multi-purpose screening and performance zone, opened up to the public out of hours, which would feature five small format cinema screens, an outdoor performance space and permanent food hall.

For Scousers, the restoration of a building that’s so well-loved and especially the façade that’s instantly recognisable to anyone passing along Edge Lane, is a major development.

Generations in Liverpool have personal connections to Littlewoods, either through themselves, family or friends, so the project isn’t just about protecting the beautiful architectural features, it’s also preserving almost a century of memories too.

John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital & Centric, says as they undertake the work on site they are acutely aware of how much it means to so many people.

“It’s an icon for the city and we certainly feel the weight of responsibility to make it an incredible destination for future generations,” he says.

“Part of the challenge is both the scale of the building and its current condition. The looming façade totals more than a kilometre across both the east and west wings, so the sheer amount of space can be pretty daunting.

“The fire that damaged the existing building destroyed part of the roof, which caused a real risk to the stability of the west wing façade.

“The team’s first job has been to install a façade retention system, designed by specialist subcontractors, to stabilise the Art Deco façade and ensure it is retained. Further temporary works are required in the tower, to ensure structural integrity is maintained and allow the iconic clock to be reinstated as part of the main works.

“This is a temporary measure as part of the first phase of works. Further down the line there’ll be a new frame constructed inside the building which will anchor the façade, ensuring it’s fit for decades to come.”