Mayor appeals to the Chancellor for more cash for city film studios

The North East mayor has called for more public funding to help get a landmark film studio development in Sunderland off the ground.

- by Echo Reporter

Kim McGuinness says she has asked Chancellor Rachel Reeves to deliver more funding for the proposed Crown Works Studios project in next week's Budget.

The flagship riverside development was thrown into uncertainty when its main private investor pulled out earlier this year and Sunderland City Council has recently hired real estate firm CBRE to find new partners for the £450million project.

The UK government has already committed £25million to the scheme, which was confirmed by Ms Reeves in her 2024 autumn statement following a previous agreement as part of the devolution deal which established the regional mayor.

But Ms McGuinness is now calling for further backing when the Chancellor presents her Budget on November 26.