UK’s $570m Sunderland studio backed by Fulwell 73 gets formal approval

Crown Works Studios (artist impression)

The £450m ($570m) Sunderland-based development backed by Leo Pearlman and James Corden’s Fulwell 73 has received formal backing from local government.

Crown Works Studios has secured approval from Sunderland council’s planning committee for the first phase of development, meaning construction can start on the site in the North East of England this summer.

The project has also received approval for an additional two phases, which will take the site’s total footprint to almost 1.7 million square feet that will house 19 sound stages, production workshops and a giant backlot.

Crown Works Studios has been developed by FulwellCain, a joint venture between The Late Late Show producer Fulwell 73 and real estate investment firm Cain International.

Its development is expected to create 8,000 jobs and, once built, will generate £336m for the local economy. Sunderland City Council and government funding has also been secured, totalling £120m.

Pearlman, managing partner at Fulwell 73, said: “This is a huge moment for Sunderland, the North East and the UK – unlocking untapped potential to further build our world-leading screen industries.

“Building these studios will kick-start the creation of an entire production ecosystem – ensuring the benefits are felt far and wide – throughout the North East and beyond the creative sector.”

“We wanted this for Sunderland because not only do we have long established ties to the city that we love, but we know the screen industries need all that the North East has to offer from locations to skilled crew and crucially, more space.”