The finished facility will include two 20,000 sq ft sound stages.

North-west developers Capital&Centric have launched a hunt for a main contractor to deliver the transformation of the former Littlewoods building in Liverpool into a new film and TV hub.

Work is already underway on the site, with the social-impact company part-way through securing the historic buildings and prepping the site. The next stage – for which a contractor is being sought – is to deliver the main restoration and works, including two 20, 000 sq ft studios.

The iconic Art Deco building was constructed in 1938; the name comes from its being the former home of Littlewoods Pools. As well as the film and TV studios, plans have been submitted to Liverpool City Council – the freeholder of the site – to provide landscaped courtyard gardens, a roof terrace, screening and performance zone, and foodhall.

The planned sound stages would take around a year to be built and become operational. The programme for repurposing the existing building into offices, workshops, studio support facilities and an education facility would take longer as it involves dealing with existing structures.

Capital&Centric is working with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as project funders. The Combined Authority, led by Mayor Steve Rotheram, has committed up to £17m to the project.

John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “We know what Littlewoods means to people locally and the last few months have been spent carefully clearing out the buildings to get them ready for the main redevelopment work. We’ve made good progress so we’re now on the hunt for a contractor to lead the rest of the transformation.

“This is a huge opportunity to get involved in one of the most iconic projects in the North. When it’s finished Liverpool will have a world-class film and TV destination that will cement its place as the Hollywood of the North, creating jobs for decades to come.”