NECA commits additional £11m to Crown Works
The funding is on top of the £25m being used to get the site ready for construction and will unlock phase one of the stalled film studio, with construction expected to begin in July.
Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor on the £450m project.
The North East Combined Authority is expected to commit the funding at its cabinet meeting on 17 March, with around £500,000 of operational revenue support allocated for each of the first five years of operation, to help secure a private sector partner to run the studios.
Phase one of the Crown Works development aims to build out the site incrementally, with the initial investment expected to act as a catalyst to fuel public and private sector backing to expand the complex.
Located at the site of the Doxford Printworks, the 125,000 sq ft building will be one of the largest studios in the North of England and will be able to host live events, gameshows, films, and TV projects.
The 1.7m sq ft scheme received full planning permission in March 2024, with the 82-acre plot to be transformed into one of Europe’s largest film studios.
The refurbished Doxford Printworks and new-build propriety should be open and ready for use by the end of 2027, with construction already in pre-contract negotiations with Sunderland City Council to quickly move into delivery mode.
Production in the North East is already thriving, up more than 130% in the last three years, with this investment marked to sustain that growth, and make the North East a powerhouse in British screen production.
The studio plans support the North East Combined Authority’s Culture, Creative Industries and Sport Strategy, which focuses on music, film and screen, and writing and publishing as priority subsectors within the creative industries.
Following the withdrawal of previous investor Cain International last July, CBRE was hired to find potential operators, investors, and developers for the scheme.
Remediation works are almost complete on site, funded through a £25m initial investment from the overall £120m package secured from the government and the North East Combined Authority.
Designed by 4D Studio Architects, the wider project team includes Lichfields, landscape architect Southern Green, structural engineer Hydrick, M&E consultant Desco, and quantity surveyor Towner & Townsend.
Sunderland City Council leader, cllr Michael Mordey, said the funding proposals represented a momentous step forward for the city and for creative industries across the North East, while also creating jobs and opportunities for a wider range of people and businesses.
He said: “We’re getting this done – for the people of Sunderland and the North East. This is a huge moment, as we turn a transformational vision into reality.
“I am thrilled that the North East Mayor is backing us in our bid to unlock the potential of Crown Works Growth Zone and establish Sunderland as a TV and film production hub, an opportunity that will unlock significant benefits for the region’s people and businesses.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness said: “I promised to back Crown Works Studios in Sunderland, and we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting it done – sending a strong message of the scale and opportunity for more investment in our creative industries.
“With this investment, we will bring blockbuster projects to the banks of the Wear, telling stories from our region and beyond, and showing local people that if you have a creative dream, you don’t have to move to London. The industry and the opportunities are here.
“I’m putting culture and creativity at the centre of the region’s plans for jobs, creating opportunities for working class creatives, like local filmmakers, actors and all of the careers behind the scenes, like electricians, set designers and make-up artists.”
Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen, said: “The evidence is clear: the North East has undergone a remarkable shift in TV and film production, and we’re now firmly on the map as a serious, competitive alternative to established hubs elsewhere in the UK.
“What sets our region apart is what we have to offer: stunning coastlines, dramatic countryside, vibrant cities, characterful rural communities, and talented crew.
“It’s all here, and productions know it. We’re also seeing more and more skilled people choosing to build their careers here, which is exactly what the industry needs to thrive.
“Crown Works is a game-changing opportunity for our region, and I’m absolutely delighted to see this level of backing behind it. We’re already talking to streamers and major producers who are excited about the potential of this space when it opens, and this investment sends a powerful signal that the North East is ready to deliver.”
David Parfitt, chair of North East Screen and a titan of industry who produced global blockbuster Shakespeare in Love, said: “This is a huge moment for Sunderland, and I am delighted to see the Combined Authority throw its weight behind studios that will put some firepower behind creative industries in the North East.
“Supported by North East Screen, there has been a real step change in production in the North East over the last four years, and we know there is demand for screen facilities here that Crown Works will address.”
