North East England’s Mayor Kim McGuinness and members of the North East Combined Authority have given the green light to a $27m(£25) million investment into Sunderland’s Crown Works Studios.

At its Cabinet meeting held yesterday, Mayor McGuiness and local authority leaders approved $27m(£25) million to begin preparation on the site at Sunderland Riverside, which will be home to Crown Works Studios.

The studios are being delivered by FulwellCain – a joint venture between Fulwell 73 and Cain International – with the backing of Sunderland City Council and the North East Mayoral Combined Authority.

The studios will boast 20 premium sound stages suitable for major feature film and HETV productions.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North East is already a hotbed for arts and culture. Today we are sending a message that we will be the home for world-class film and TV production. Our North East has been the backdrop for iconic TV shows and films, and talent and creativity runs through our DNA as a region. Now we will retake our place on screens across the globe.

“We will build a thriving creative economy from the banks of the River Wear and beyond, creating thousands of amazing jobs for local people. Doing so will make our area the home of real opportunity – ending the days where people have to leave the North East to pursue a career in creative industries.“

Cllr Michael Mordey, Cabinet member for Finance and Investment and leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Creative industries represent a huge opportunity for the whole of the North East, and we know that film studios like those proposed for Sunderland Riverside will be absolutely transformational for the city and region, supporting many thousands of jobs and delivering enormous benefits for businesses in the supply chain.

“We’re thrilled that the exciting proposals for studios in Sunderland have captured the imagination of so many people across the North East, and that the city will become home to yet another powerhouse, that will deliver huge advantages for the city, region and UK Plc.  We look forward to working closely with the sector and investors on this world-class opportunity.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive, North East Screen commented: “The North East is currently the fastest growing region in the UK for film and TV production and has seen an 86% increase over the past two years with 2024 already set to create even more jobs for local people.

“The Crown Works Studios development will supercharge the North East to become an international film and TV production hotspot, where world class content for global audiences is made all year round.”