James Corden’s production company Fulwell 73 has revealed plans for “one of Europe’s largest cinema complexes” on the banks of the River Wear in Sunderland.
The company behind feature-length documentaries, including The class of ’92 i 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 150,000 square meters of space suitable for 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.
Also included in the proposals are workshops, office space, a vendor village for supply chain companies, administrative and social facilities, a multi-storey car park and a large backlot.
According to Fulwell, subject to local and national government support, the scheme could start by the end of the year and be completed by 2027.
ancient Gavin and Stacey US star turned talk show host Corden issued a statement alongside Fulwell’s colleagues Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, Leo Pearlman and Ben Winston. “We are united in our belief that there is a unique opportunity to bring more high-end manufacturing to the UK through this ambitious Sunderland-based studio project, putting the region on the map as a global manufacturing destination” , said.
Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller praised the “unparalleled proposals”.
“If approved, they will reinvent Sunderland’s 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’ve been working on these plans with Fulwell 73 and Cain for many months, so it’s absolutely brilliant to finally be able to present them and demonstrate the scale of ambition we have for this city. It’s absolutely transformative and something that we are determined to do so.”
