James Corden’s production company, Fulwell 73, has revealed plans for “one of the largest film-making complexes in Europe” on the banks of the River Wear in Sunderland.
The firm behind feature documentaries including The Class of ’92 and One Direction: Where We Are has formed a joint venture with property investor Cain International to deliver the mammoth Crown Works Studios.
The scheme would create src50,000 square metres of space tailored to the film industry in the Pallion district of the Tyne and Wear city.
Fulwell said the development would include 20 premium sound stages and create more than 8,000 jobs.
Workshops, office space, a vendor village for supply chain businesses, administrative and social facilities, a multistorey car park and an extensive backlot are also included in the proposals.
Subject to local and national government backing, the scheme could get underway later this year and complete in 2027, according to Fulwell.
Former Gavin and Stacey star turned US talk-show host Corden issued a statement jointly with fellow Fulwell partners Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, Leo Pearlman and Ben Winston. “We are unified in our belief that there is a unique opportunity to bring further high-end production to the UK through this ambitious Sunderland-based studio project, putting the region on the map as a global production destination,” they said.
Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller hailed the “unparalleled proposals”.
“If approved, they will reinvent the Sunderland economy, establishing the city as home to a modern and growing industry that will create jobs and opportunities for thousands of people across the North East,” he said.
“We have been working on these plans with Fulwell 73 and Cain for many months, so it’s absolutely brilliant to finally be in position to unveil them, and to demonstrate the scale of ambition we have for this city. It’s absolutely transformational and something we’re determined to see through.”
Related articles