Overview

• Cain International’s withdrawal has left a private funding shortfall of approximately £300m for the £450m Crown Works Studios project.
• Sunderland City Council and Fulwell Entertainment have engaged a specialist agent to attract private partners and aim to finalise funding by the end of 2025.
• Public sector partners have already committed over £145m towards site preparation, including a £25m government injection and up to £120m from local authorities.
• Detailed planning approval for the first phase covers four sound stages, production offices, workshops and a multi-storey car park beside the Northern Spire Bridge.
• Backers project the full complex will span 1.6 million square feet, generate an estimated annual £336m for the local economy and create around 8,000 jobs in the North East.