Starmer backs city's 'landmark' film studios bid

Sir Keir Starmer described the Crown Works Studios development as "good for jobs"

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised the government's "full backing" to get Sunderland's flagship Crown Works Studios project back on track.

It emerged earlier this summer that the main private backer behind the £450m film and TV studio development had pulled out.

North East leaders are now pushing to find new investors to ensure the huge regeneration scheme, earmarked for the banks of the River Wear in Pallion, can go ahead.

Sunderland City Council leader Michael Mordey has previously said he expects to have funding secured by the time land remediation works at the site are completed later this year.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Tuesday, Sir Keir was asked what support Downing Street had offered since Cain International's withdrawal from the Crown Works deal.

He replied: "Let me be really clear on this because I know it really matters – we really want to see this landmark project come to fruition.

"It is such a good project, good for jobs, good for growth.

"We announced £25m of funding for the studios in the Autumn Statement to support filmmaking and economic growth, and we are working with the mayor [of the North East, Kim McGuinness] very closely because we need to get private investors to get in behind this.

"I am determined that we will do everything we can to see this project come to fruition. It is really important locally, it is a huge thing, and we need to give it our full backing."

The £450m studio development is set to be built on the banks of the River Wear

Local authorities have committed to a total public investment of up to £120m.

Global entertainment company Fulwell Entertainment, which was behind the Sunderland 'Til I Die Netflix series, had partnered with Cain on the joint venture to build 19 sound stages on the riverside plot.

The firm has said it remains committed to working with Sunderland Council to find new funding.

It had been hoped the scheme could create more than 8,000 jobs and Labour's new creative industries strategy highlights the "game-changing plans for film production in Sunderland".

Planning permission was secured last year, but detailed approval has only been granted for a first phase of building that would include four sound stages, production offices, workshop buildings and a car park.