Overview

• Cain International’s exit leaves a funding shortfall in the £450m Crown Works Studios development.
• Sunderland City Council and North East Combined Authority have launched a market search for a private delivery partner to replace Cain International.
• Public commitments of £145m from the UK government and regional bodies remain in place to fund remediation and preparatory site work.
• Ground clearance beside the Northern Spire Bridge is under way, with detailed planning permission secured for a first phase featuring four sound stages, production offices and a car park.
• Local leaders expect to finalise financing by year-end to begin construction on phase one and create thousands of creative industry jobs in the North East.