£33.5m film studio expansion approved for Hartlepool
The Northern Studios will be expanded to add new facilities and include refurbished older buildings.
24 September 2025
Hartlepool has secured planning approval for a £33.5 million expansion of its film and television production facilities, a project expected to create jobs, attract investment and establish the town as a major hub for the UK’s screen industries.
The Northern Studios, which opened in 2022, will be significantly expanded with larger studios and new production infrastructure. Alongside this, a Screen Industries Production Village will be created by repurposing nine disused town-centre buildings into pre- and post-production facilities, workshops and collaborative spaces for creative professionals.
Among the heritage properties to be restored is the Grade II-listed Shades Hotel, which will form part of the new production village.
The development is led by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen, with funding secured from the UK Government and the Tees Valley Investment Zone.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, chair of the council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, described the scheme as “game-changing” for the town. “The £33.5 million investment into expanding our film and television production facilities will create over 130 new jobs, attract further private sector investment, and deliver a lasting boost to our local economy,” she said.
The project builds on the early success of The Northern Studios, which has already hosted productions including ITV dramas I Fought the Law and Transaction as well as the feature film Jackdaw.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the scheme would position the region more firmly on the screen industry map. “Not only will this huge investment bring derelict buildings back to life, it will also create high-quality jobs and opportunities for local people in an exciting and growing sector,” he said.
Industry and academic partners also highlighted the significance of the development. Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, said the project would attract more productions to the region, while Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, called it a “pivotal moment” for the North East’s creative industries.
The redevelopment is being delivered with input from specialists Leonard Design, Stace, and TIME + SPACE. Piers Read, CEO of TIME + SPACE, said the aim was to revitalise overlooked urban spaces into “vibrant communities driven by film, entertainment, media and hospitality.”
Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with the completed project set to create more than 130 jobs and add momentum to the growth of the screen sector across Hartlepool and the wider Tees Valley.