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This section covers Studio81, Versa Leeds, Peregrine, Church Fenton, The Northern Studios Hartlepool, Littlewoods Liverpool, The Depot Liverpool, Shipyard Studios Sunderland, Crown Works Studios Sunderland, Northern Films Hull, Production Park Wakefield, L16 Liverpool and Aida Bliss Derby.
Studio81, Leeds (2006 – 2022)
Studio81 was located not far from the old Yorkshire TV studios in Kirkstall Road. This business opened in 2006 and hosted a number of TV drama productions. They included Wuthering Heights, Lost in Austen, White Girl, The Chase, Strictly Confidential, Red Riding, 5 Days, South Riding, Sirens, The Damned United, The Syndicate, DCI Banks, Just Henry, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel, The Great Train Robbery and the extraordinary Peaky Blinders.
There was one large stage of 230 x 70ft plus workshop facilities and all the usual offices, dressing rooms and wardrobe/makeup rooms.
Sadly, in April 2022, Martin Cook posted the following:
‘The independent film and television production centre, Studio81-Leeds, closed its doors at the end of April 2022 to make way for a new housing development by the Clarion Housing Group. During its 16-year operation, Studio81 has been an integral part of the changing landscape of film and television production in Yorkshire.
Prior to 2006, it was widely believed that drama would only be produced by Yorkshire Television and the remit of the few independent producers in the area would remain news and factual. A small group of freelancers challenged that belief and brought together a steering group to help create a facility to meet the needs of independent drama producers, and attract them to the area. Since then, Studio81 has regularly hosted 2 or 3 drama productions each year to a total of 250 screen-hours with budgets totalling £250m and a regional spend of over £125m.
This is my opportunity to offer thanks to the individuals who gave their time, support and encouragement to the idea that became Studio81.’
Versa Leeds Studios (from 2020)
Converted from a former printworks, this impressively large studio centre officially opened in 2020 but the Covid pandemic delayed bookings for some time. It has 4 sound stages at 16,000 sq ft, 12,500 sq ft, 10,500 sq ft and 27,000 sq ft. All have a useful height of around 27 ft. There is also plenty of space for production offices, workshops, prop stores, wardrobe facilities etc. £7.5m was invested in the studios, primarily to upgrade the power supply and to soundproof the stages.
The studios became available around the time Studio81 closed, so have enabled the production of TV dramas and independent films to be continued in Leeds. They are not far from the new Channel 4 HQ and ITV’s studios on Kirkstall Road (confusingly named The Leeds Studios). These facilities are a joint venture between Leeds-based Prime Studios and All Studios. All Studios are trading under the Versa Studios name. Versa also operate the old Granada Studios in Manchester and a large multicamera studio in west London.
Production credits include Bodies, Boat Story, Platform 7, Dance School, Typist Artist Pirate King, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, Marvel’s Secret Invasion and Woman Of Substance.
Peregrine Studios – aka Northern TV and Film Studios (South Yorkshire)
(from 2018?)
Situated between Barnsley and Doncaster in Goldthorpe, with easy access to the M1 and A1, these converted industrial premises offer a very large stage of 354 x 136ft (48,000 sq ft). Stage 2 is also impressively large at 30,000 sq ft but with a relatively low minimum ceiling height of 16ft. There is also a covered area of 140,000 sq ft that can be used to construct scenery or as a shooting space. According to the British Film Commission website, 7,400 sq ft stage 3 is being converted into a green screen studio. There are plenty of offices and other areas suitable for dressing rooms, make-up areas etc. The following productions have filmed scenes at these studios – Hope Gap, Official Secrets and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
Yorkshire Studios, Church Fenton (between York and Leeds)
(from 2015)
RAF Church Fenton was created in 1937 when the air force was carrying out a massive expansion, due to the increasing threat from Hitler’s Germany. It was designed as a fighter base, defending the industrial areas of Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield. As well as housing normal RAF squadrons it was also the home of the first RAF Eagle squadron of American volunteers.
After the war it remained a fighter base with the new generation of jets such as the Meteor and the Hunter. In 1959 the base scaled back its operation, becoming used for training on a wide variety of aircraft types over the following decades. Following the 2010 defence review, training was sadly (some might say unwisely) drastically scaled back in the RAF and the base was no longer required. It closed in December 2013 and was handed over to property investor Makin Enterprises.
In June 2015, Screen Yorkshire announced that it had secured the rights to create a new film studio based here at Church Fenton, to the east of Leeds. There are 3 buildings to be used for filming – stage 1 at 37,500 sq ft, stage 2 at 27,000 sq ft and stage 3 at 34,500 sq ft. Stages 1 and 3 are old RAF hangars but stage 2 is a relatively newly-built warehouse. The complex includes offices, workshops and plenty of parking. An on-site cafe is also available. The location offers a great deal of concreted space near the buildings previously used for aircraft handling as well as grassed over areas with clear vistas where exterior sets can be built.
In June 2023 the Makin family, who own the site, secured planning permission to improve and further develop the facilities here. In October 2025, the British Film Commission were reporting that the studios are indeed set for further expansion through the Create Yorkshire development. “Having purpose-built, state-of-the-art studio space alongside our existing facilities will transform what we can offer to the film and television industry.” The scheme includes three purpose-built sound stages, office space and other facilities.
On top of the UK-wide tax breaks, Screen Yorkshire has available the ‘Yorkshire Content Fund’ which can be used to attract TV dramas and features to the area. They say that in excess of £1m can be invested in suitable projects.
Productions made here have included ITV’s Victoria series 1, 2 and 3, Gentleman Jack and Air TV’s Masters of Reinvention.
The Northern Film & TV Studios, Hartlepool (from 2021. Production Village from 2027.)
Image thanks to Cleveland College of Art and Design
In January 2017 Hartlepool Borough Council announced that it was planning to turn an old bus depot into film studios. At the time, two 11,000 sq ft stages were proposed. Pat Chapman from Cleveland College of Art and Design is quoted as saying ‘This is the perfect venue to create a film and TV studio in the heart of the town.’ The college was working with the borough council to develop the project, which opened for business in March 2017.
From what I have read, it seems that only blacking out of windows and some basic sound deadening were initially done to the shooting spaces. In a press report, Mr Chapman explained that a more sophisticated refurbishment of the building would come later, once productions had used the stages and discovered what else needed to be done.
In April 2019 Hartlepool Borough Council gave planning permission to adapt the bus garage into a 30,000ft stage. However, there was a long gap before some progress was announced. This came in December 2020 when a press release revealed that work was underway. An impressive job has been done.
The £3.76m converted facility sits alongside a new teaching building which supports specialist technical training for students. The facilities consist of two stages within the old bus garage – each 164 x 66ft (10,800 sq ft) and a third stage equipped with green screen of 66 x 66 ft (4,360 sq ft.) There is also a workshop, green room, offices etc. These studios are intended to be used by film and High-End TV as well as the art school students. The area around has plenty of exciting and varied locations suitable for shooting many kinds of drama and the idea is that these facilities form an attractive base where interior sets can be constructed.
During 2023, these studios were used to film the action thriller Jackdaw, starring Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Jenna Coleman, Thomas Turgoose and Rory McCann. The production also utilised locations around the north east. Investment came from The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and the North East Production Fund, delivered by regional screen agency North East Screen on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership. Other productions made here have included the BBC’s Smoggie Queens and ITV’s I Fought The Law.
An interesting announcement was made in September 2025. Planning approval had been granted for a £33.5m development to expand the studios. The proposals include the construction of larger studios as well as a Screen Industries Production Village nearby, which will repurpose nine disused buildings into pre and post-production spaces, workshops, and collaborative hubs for creative professionals. Raising the roof height of the main stages is likely to be a part of this plan.
About 130 jobs are expected to be created once the development is completed in 2027. Council leader Brenda Harrison is quoted as saying that she believes the production village’s proximity to the town’s colleges will have an impact on young people. “It will be a great benefit to students, both while they’re doing their courses and hopefully post-course when the jobs will be there for them,” she said. Many productions currently only use Hartlepool for the actual filming of their projects as the facilities for pre and post-production work are not currently available. The film village aims to bring these facilities, such as costume designers and editing suites, to the area so crews do not need to leave. These will be located in the newly renovated buildings.
The project is being led by Hartlepool Borough Council, in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen. Funding for the scheme has been secured from the UK Government with £15m from the Tees Valley Investment Zone. Time+Space is acting as development manager and specialist operations and facilities manager in partnership with Leonard Design Architects and Stace, who are acting as quantity surveyors and construction project manager/employers agent on the development.
This is all excellent news. It is great to see facilities like this expanding, particularly in this part of the country.
Littlewoods Studios Liverpool (from 2027??? – ‘The Depot’ temporary stages from 2021)
photo thanks to Andrew Teebay, Liverpool Echo
Designed by Scottish architect Gerald de Courcey Fraser, this building was constructed in the art deco style in 1938 and was used to process the betting slips from Littlewoods Football Pools. Its printing presses were used by the government during the War and parts of Halifax bombers were constructed here. Five million parachutes were also made inside the halls – the enormous space enabling them to be laid out and folded. Bomb shelters within the building still have wartime graffiti on the walls. The building has been empty since 2003 and photographs indicate that it does need a considerable amount of repair and refurbishment inside and out.
In September 2015 a proposal to turn the building into a high-end TV drama and film studio was announced by developer Capital&Centric. Liverpool has been used often in recent years as a filming location as some of its architecture can double for cities in the USA. The idea was that TV dramas and features would use these studios as a production base and film interiors here whilst using the nearby city for exteriors. The building would also be the new home of Liverpool Theatre School – with its own theatre and studio – and digital and creative companies would be encouraged to take up space here. It was hoped that 1,500 jobs would be created during the redevelopment phase and once completed it would provide 900 jobs although other figures have been quoted.
75,000 sq ft of education space was also proposed for Liverpool John Moores University, to house an ‘Entertainment Technology Centre’ training young people in the film and TV industry.
The developers referred to ’20-30,000 sq ft sound stages’ in their publicity. It is pretty clear that a great deal of work would be required to create these within the existing building as it has many windows and skylights in the roof and the irregular roof structure would appear to make a conventional lighting grid tricky to install. However, it turned out that this was not the intention and new stages will be built on the area alongside.
In April 2017 the studios came closer to reality when the building was sold to Capital&Centric who declared they would turn the site into the ‘Pinewood of the North.’ A 250 year lease was agreed with Liverpool City Council. They have already redeveloped the bunker next to the building, which is fully let to media and technology companies. The new owners said that they were hoping to attract companies that would work in collaboration to be part of a hub that can fully capitalise on Liverpool’s world-class offering as a filming location.
In June 2018 the announcement came that the company that runs Twickenham Studios in west London would be the partners on this project. I doubt if many people saw that coming but it did make a great deal of sense. Twickenham only has 3 relatively small stages but they have many years of experience of dealing with clients from the worlds of film and TV. Having 2 large stages here would fit nicely into what they could offer.
On 2nd September 2018, fire broke out in the western wing of the building, causing extensive damage. The story was covered on national TV and radio news bulletins. The roof and upper floor of the wing were lost but following the fire there were no concerns over the building’s structural integrity. Most importantly, fortunately there were no injuries. I was informed by somebody from Twickenham Studios that the fire may in fact have helped a little with the redevelopment as the roof was going to be replaced anyway. In any case, it will not have affected the studio development.
There was an announcement in the press in March 2020 that revealed that The Creative District Improvement Company and their subsidiary, Time+Space had acquired Twickenham – and these studios. So TCDIC became anchor tenants along with Liverpool John Moores University.
In July 2020 Liverpool City Region announced the release of £11m to enable this project to go ahead. This money came via the Government’s ‘Getting Building’ fund and is part of an overall package of £17m.
The money mentioned above also paid for the construction of two temporary 20,000 sq ft film stages on vacant city-owned land next to the Littlewoods site, known as The Depot. Planning permission for the two stages was passed in December 2020 and work began later that month. They opened for business in October 2021. These stages have been built by Morgan Sindall Construction and are being managed by Liverpool City Council’s film office.
During its first year, this facility was reportedly used by six commercials and a feature film. Around eight months after The Depot opened its doors, the eight-part prequel series ‘Sexy Beast’ took over the stages. It was made for Paramount+ and brought over 100 crew members and talent to the site for nine months. I have not been able to establish what other productions have used these stages. Can you help?
So to sum up, the occupancy of the buildings was at that time planned to be as follows – 85,000 sq ft of studio and ancillary space for Twickenham Film Studios, to be operated by Time+Space Studios. A further 95,000 sq ft of flexible employment space for creative industries, which would be advertised to market for expressions of interest. It was originally intended that 75,000 sq ft of education space would be occupied by Liverpool John Moores University to deliver an ‘Entertainment Technology Centre’. However, in October 2022 the BBC reported that the university had pulled out of the scheme. According to the BBC website:
Liverpool City Council, which owns the land, said LJMU’s withdrawal was “regrettable but it makes no material difference to the planned remediation”. Liverpool City Region is due to approve a payment of £8m to help the first phase in restoring the building.
It is my understanding that Time+Space and Twickenham Film Studios are also no longer associated with this project.
The Liverpool Echo reported the following more positive news on 5th October 2022:
John Moffat, Capital&Centric said: “We’re not doing the deal with LJMU as originally envisaged but we’re still in talks with them about being involved. This doesn’t change the overall vision for the Littlewoods Project, there will still be an education provider whether the University are involved or not and this doesn’t impact on the Combined Authority pressing ahead with funding.
“The legal agreements are almost in place for us to kick start this massive regeneration project that will cement Liverpool’s position at the forefront of the UK’s film and TV industry, generate millions of pounds for the local economy and provide exciting job opportunities for generations to come.”
In November 2023, Capital&Centric submitted the detailed plans to redevelop the building. Further plans were submitted in December. The following statement on their website explained the proposals as they stood at that time:
The existing building features three distinct sections – the east and west wing, which are separated by the Hangar, a 1960s addition. Our proposals incorporate the existing building as well as the neighbouring land, with the Littlewoods Project set to feature:
Space in the West Wing for uses such as offices for creative businesses or an education facility, as well as the incorporation of roof terraces with city views.
Workspaces in the East Wing, as well as workshops and studio support facilities.
Two new build 20,000 sq.ft studios, providing space for indoor sound stages for big budget productions.
A screening and performance space – open to the public – with an existing hanger to feature five cinema screens, a performance space and a foodhall.
A lush, green courtyard where the community can hang out and spend time.
Loads of greenery and new landscaping that will pay homage to local screen stars of the past, as well as a direct public link between the site and Wavertree park.
Reinstating of the clock on the iconic tower.
I can’t help noting that whoever drafted that statement doesn’t appear to know the difference between a studio and a sound stage, which is a bit worrying.
Looking at the plans, I note that in the East Wing opposite the sound stages there are three workshops, each approximately 6,000 sq ft. (That will be very useful.) There are also production offices and other areas. Half of the West Wing is a large office, with the other half indicating that it could be more offices or used for educational purposes. Between the wings is the area to be used by the public, containing the ‘Film Box’ with cinemas, cafes etc. The two sound stages are surrounded by an area intended for the usual unit base vehicles associated with filming. Between them is a link with toilets and a few other rooms. The whole area is to be attractively landscaped and planted.
Progress on the main scheme does unfortunately appear to have been slower than snail-like. Despite the release of funding in July 2020 it was 16 months later in November 2021 that a further announcement was made. A report requesting permission for plans to invest £70m in redeveloping the Littlewoods Building was due to go before the Liverpool City Council’s cabinet early in December of that year. However, it took a whole year for the decision to be taken and it was eventually agreed in December 2022.
So, at last, the first phase of the development could proceed. Or could it? According to the local press, work on stripping out the buildings and preparing them for restoration and repurposing commenced on December 12th 2023. This was expected to be completed by the summer of 2024. However, in March 2024 the Capital&Centric website stated: ‘We’re about to start work to clean up the existing building and prepare the site for construction in 2024.’
In August 2024 Capital&Centric announced that they were beginning the hunt for a contractor to carry out the main construction work.
Please contact me if you have been involved in this project and can give me the latest info on progress. Also, if any of the above is incorrect I would welcome any clarifications. The whole thing has been a minefield to work out exactly where things stand.
October 2024 – update:
A press release in October 2024 proudly announced that Liverpool City Council’s Planning Committee had at last approved the plans by Capital&Centric. Then, the press report stated ‘Subject to the next tranche of funding being agreed, the go-ahead from the council will kick start the main works.’ So in other words, it wasn’t all done and dusted even yet. According to the report, the sound stages will take around a year to be built and become operational. I would add about another 6 months to that, judging by the time it has taken to build similar stages on other projects.
As for the restoration and conversion of the main building, this work is anticipated to take much longer.
Just a reminder that this whole process began in September 2015.
August 2025 – some very worrying news:
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Capital&Centric (C&C) revealed that this scheme is effectively on hold. It seems that the cost of delivering the project “in the current climate exceeds the value of the completed development”.
To quote the Liverpool Echo:
Tim Heatley, co-founder of C&C told the Echo that the project is now at a “pivotal point” with the company ready to begin delivery. “However, like many major regeneration projects across the UK, we are facing a viability challenge. The cost of delivering the project in the current climate exceeds the value of the completed development,” he added.
C&C has entered into discussions with the UK government to “explore potential options for gap funding,” said Heatley. “These conversations are still in the early stages. As with any public funding process, it is complex and requires time, careful consideration, and patience. We are working closely with our public sector partners to present a compelling case that shows why this project matters, not only for Liverpool, but for the wider UK creative sector.”
So, reading between the lines, this redevelopment will not go ahead unless the UK government provides the funds to enable it to happen. This news emerged just a few weeks after the proposed Crown Works Studios in Sunderland also reached an impasse when their main funder withdrew from that project.
Shipyard Studios, Sunderland (current situation unknown)
photo thanks to Sunderland Echo
In November 2022, Pallion Engineering in Sunderland announced that they were planning to convert some redundant ship-building facilities into a film studio. The USP of this scheme is that one of the buildings consists of a covered dock – and this will become the largest covered water stage in the world. Since the water connects to the chilly North Sea, I wouldn’t care to be an actor performing in it – but hey, that’s what they are paid for. The studios will include 500,000 sq ft of creative space for filming and rehearsing, as well as post-production areas, animation suites and green rooms. The shipyard has been closed since the 1980s so there is much work to be done in refurbishing the existing structures.
image thanks to Pallion Shipyard Studios
According to a press release, the plans are being led by production company Metalwork Pictures USA alongside events business Broadwick Live, and aim to also have an educational effort to benefit the local creative community. Also involved is real estate developer Kajima Partnerships Limited, and an appointed worldwide “Film Advisory Board led by an award-winning producer and artist”. Northern Film and Media, the University of Sunderland and Sunderland College also have input, and all groups are supported by a professional team consisting of FaulknerBrowns Architects, DPP Planning, Lambert Smith Hampton and Gleeds.
The scheme was put before the local council in 2022 in order to establish whether it met the legal requirements for the use of the building. The ‘certificate of lawfulness’ was approved by Sunderland City Council in December, 2022. This means that planning permission is not required for use of the existing buildings but new construction will require the usual process.
This is certainly an unusual development but when open will provide a unique facility to the film and high-end TV industry. As of July 2025 I can find no info on the progress of this scheme. I’m wondering if the Crown Works Studios mentioned below have taken the wind out of the sails of this project? Do contact me with any information if you know.
Crown Works Studios, Sunderland (project currently paused)
Another film studio in Sunderland was announced in February 2023. This is on a much larger scale than the Shipyard Studios but one can see that the facilities offered by both could be complementary and useful to some productions. Fulwell 73 and Cain International proposed a major development on the banks of the Wear at Pallion to be known as Crown Works Studios. It is the result of a devolution deal agreed between the government, the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) and Sunderland City Council.
The studio is planned to have 19 sound stages, making it the largest in northern England. There will be the usual workshops and offices, a multistorey car park and a large back lot. They hope to attract major features and international HETV productions.
When announced, the scheme required government support as well as the necessary planning permission. In the March 2024 Budget, the Chancellor announced £120m of funding, which enabled it to proceed to the next step. The government grant released £450m of private funding to help the North East become a major hub for big budget productions.
Further money was also revealed. As part of the Budget, the Government announced a “trailblazer” deal with the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA), which will empower local leaders with funding and tools to deliver local regeneration priorities, building on plans to level up across the north-east. This includes £37m of flexible funding for the remediation of brownfield sites and acceleration of regional projects. Subject to the business case, NEMCA intends to use £25m of this funding to remediate the Crown Works Studios site, laying the ground for development of the studio facilities. The planned 1.7m square foot facility is expected to boost the region’s economy by £336m a year and create around 8,450 jobs.
Planning permission was granted on March 25th 2024. However, the scheme was not officially greenlit until August 2024, at a cabinet meeting attended by north east mayor Kim McGuinness and members of the North East Combined Authority.
Funding for this project was confirmed in Rachel Reeves’ budget speech in October 2024.
Sadly, in June 2025, Cain International announced that it was withdrawing its financial support for this project but declined to give a reason for the decision. The remaining backer, Fulwell Entertainment, said it remained committed to working with Sunderland City Council to find “appropriate private funding” to allow the development to continue. However, the predicted demand for sound stages in 2025 is less than it was when this project was first announced. It is not hard to guess why this investor has pulled out and why it may prove difficult to find another. I wish them well but this must place the project in some jeopardy. Possibly a less ambitious scheme may be easier to finance. I understand that some site preparation has taken place but no actual construction has as yet begun.
Politically of course, this poses a problem for the government who would love to see this scheme go ahead. In an interview in August 2025, Keir Starmer is quoted as saying:
“Let me be really clear on this because I know it really matters – we really want to see this landmark project come to fruition. It is such a good project, good for jobs, good for growth. We announced £25 million of funding for the studios in the Autumn Statement to support filmmaking and economic growth, and we are working with the mayor very closely because we need to get private investors to get in behind this. I am determined that we will do everything we can to see this project come to fruition. It is really important locally, it is a huge thing, and we need to give it our full backing.”
In October 2025 Sunderland City Council announced that they had appointed global real estate advisor CBRE to act on the council’s behalf to engage with potential investors, developers and operators. They said that the appointment of CBRE, which previously advised Sky on the Sky Studios Elstree project, marked a “significant milestone” in the development.
Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, is quoted as saying, “Appointing CBRE is a pivotal and strategic step in securing the right investor and development partner to deliver this transformational scheme. Their global reach, experience and industry knowledge is highly impressive and we, and they, are very positive and determined that Crown Works Studios will be delivered but now with a new partner. Our ambition has not wavered, so we will keep pushing forward.”
Studio 9, Northern Films, Hull (from end of 2025)
Northern Films is a production company based in Hull. Their most recent feature film was the drama The Last Trip. Their HQ contains a small studio (studio 8) but in January 2024 they announced plans to construct a 19,700 sq ft sound stage next to their existing building. This will be known as studio 9. A workshop and other facilities will be included. They already have post-production and grading facilities, sound mastering, visual effects and CGI along with sets, rehearsal space and a hospitality area.
Their director Andrew Fenton is quoted as saying:
“One of the building’s main functions will be addressing what we believe is a learning shortfall within schools and universities who seem to follow a theory-based approach with students being given very little or no real hands-on experience. We feel the skills being taught are not the current expectations of the industry so this building and the concept behind it will provide those skills locally.
“Most soundstage facilities are usually landlord-operated and are just spaces to hire out with very limited opportunities for local people. However, this building will not be allowed to be hired in full by an out-of-town production unless it agrees to include a certain percentage of local skills.
“In addition, we will employ local freelancers to oversee the upkeep and management of the building while the ultimate aim is to establish a long-term programme of productions rather than living hand-to-mouth off one-off projects. In that way, it will create regular work for local freelancers.”
Planning permission was granted in July 2024. The aim is for the new facilities to be available by the end of 2025.
Production Park, Wakefield (dedicated film stages from 2025)
Production Park is a very impressive collection of facilities at Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, near Wakefield. Originally creators of staging and structures, they moved into providing facilities where musicians could prepare and rehearse tours. By 2024 they had an academy of live technology as well as 100,000 sq ft of purpose-built rehearsal space, live production technology, workshops, manufacturing, storage, offices, dressing rooms, hospitality and support. They also have a dedicated XR studio. These are the current production spaces:
Studio 001 – 138 x 128ft (54ft to grid)
Studio 002/003 – a combined black box space
Studio 004 XR Studio with LED Volume – 58 x 48 ft (26ft high)
Studio 005 – 135ft x 105ft (60ft to grid)
Studio 006 – a smaller space ideal for band rehearsals, small productions and training.
photo thanks to Production Park
In December 2024 they announced ambitious expansion plans with four additional production studios totalling 145,000 sq ft, including dedicated film stages. The first two stages were due to be available from the second quarter of 2025 (which seems remarkably swift!). The intention is to attract world-class TV, film and live productions. £3.2m funding for this project came from Wakefield Council.
with thanks to Production Park
So far, these facilities have mostly been used by the music industry but some filming has taken place here. This includes the Def Leppard concert scene in Bank of Dave for Netflix and Stephen Graham’s award-winning Adolescence, also for Netflix. This was a one-shot drama, with 2 sets in Studio 005 and an extension outside.
In September 2025 there was a surprising announcement – the semi-final and final episodes of The Voice UK would be made here at Production Park. This is great news for these studios – in recent years the show has been made in HQ1 at MediaCity and the George Lucas Stage at Elstree Studios. The main set will be in studio 005 with studio 001 being used as an additional production area.
L16 Studios, Liverpool. (from 2025)
photo thanks to Lime Pictures
In July 2025 All3Media subsidiary Lime Pictures launched a purpose-built studio on its Liverpool campus. It is available for scripted and unscripted productions. The name L16 is the postcode of the Liverpool suburb in which it is located. The sound stage is 1,991 sq ft, with a fixed scaffold grid at a little over 14ft. The facility includes audience space, green rooms, galleries, edit suites, catering, on-site parking and a hair and a make-up suite. It all looks very smart and well-equipped. Lime are also offering post-production facilities and the opportunity to use its existing sets.
One of the first productions to use the new studio was Girl Troop vs Aliens, a comedy drama for CBBC.
Lime Pictures’ managing director, John Whittle is quoted as saying:
“This investment strengthens the North West’s role as a true powerhouse in the UK’s creative and broadcast industries. From high end dramas to global streaming content, we are ready to support the next wave of storytelling. With decades of experience in premium drama, we have the sets, the in-house talent, and the infrastructure to deliver an exceptional production experience. L16 is a world-class space where producers can create standout content while generating real investment in the region and new opportunities for local talent to thrive.”
I wish them well.
Aida Bliss Studios, Derby. (planning permission passed in 2025)
The derelict Aida Bliss ironworks in City Road, Derby was used as a filming location for a blockbuster action movie in November 2023. The film was made by MARV Studios, best known for the hit films Rocketman, Stardust, Layer Cake and the Kingsman franchise. In August 2025 it was announced that the company were proposing to invest £13 million in the building which has been empty for 20 years. They are planning to create a film studio, a fitness and rehabilitation centre, a gym, sports centre and what they say would be Europe’s first stunt training centre at the empty building in City Road. The plans were submitted by Damien Walters, a Derby-born famed stuntman and director. He is quoted as saying:
“The academy will provide new studio space for MARV and other leading international film and TV productions. In addition, it will accommodate Europe’s first stunt training academy, and also provide a National Centre of Excellence in areas of tumbling, trampolining and martial arts and Parkour. Core to delivering the Centre of Excellence will be the opportunity for a wide range of local people and organisations to use the facility – from school children in Derby to world-class, high-performance athletes – this will support grassroots and community sports, as well as elite athletes and Olympians.”
Planning permission was passed in October 2025. Sigma Architects have said they will preserve the external appearance of the historic building, which dates from 1822. The first phase of work will convert the newer warehouse into a gymnasium, performance studios and a cafe. The foundry will then be converted into set areas for filming, stunt work and acting in the second phase. A gym and rehab facility for athletes will be created in the foundry buildings in phase three.
This all sounds extremely positive news to me. The combination of filming and training facilities for the film industry and for local people seems to be an excellent example of imaginative thinking.