Crown Works will be 'Pallywood' of the north and a real gamechanger

Sunderland City Council's leader believes in 10 years time the Crown Works Film Studios will be known as the 'Pallywood' of television and film production in the north.

- by Neil Fatkin neil.fatkin @iconicmediagroup.co.uk @SunderlandEcho

North East Screen Alison Gwynn, Mayor of North East Kim McGuinness, Leader of Sunderland City Council Cllr Michael Mordey and Dragons Den Sara Davies.

Councillor Michael Mordey was speaking after confirmation that construction of phase one of the new facility will begin in July, with the initial film studios set to open at the end of 2027.

On Monday, the North East mayor, Kim McGuinness, announced £38.5million of new funding for what was described as phase one of the development, in addition to £25million of funding as part of the Devolution Deal, which established the North East mayor.

Phase one will see the creation of a 125,000 sq ft film studio, including a new build facility and refurbishment of the Doxford Printworks building.

Once complete, the facility will be capable of hosting live events and gameshows, as well as blockbuster films and TV projects.

Cllr Mordey said: "It's really exciting to be here today and I'm over the noon to announce the start of this development which in time could become as significant as when Nissan arrived in Sunderland all those years ago.

"This funding represents a clear backing from the North East mayor and phase one alone will create around 350 jobs.

"It's not just the actors, makeup artists, and cameramen, but also those additional jobs in things like catering and the construction workers creating the sets.