Planning approval secured for major expansion of Hartlepool’s film and TV production industry

A £33.5 million major expansion of film and television production facilities in Hartlepool is officially underway, following planning approval being granted for a transformative new development.

The Northern Studios will undergo an expansion, including the construction of larger studios and the installation of industry-leading equipment and facilities. In addition, a Screen Industries Production Village will be developed in the surrounding area, repurposing nine disused buildings into cutting-edge pre and post-production spaces, workshops, and collaborative hubs for creative professionals.

Among the buildings to be revitalised is the Grade-II listed Shades Hotel, which will be brought back into use alongside several other heritage properties.

The project is being led by Hartlepool Borough Council, in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen, the region’s screen industries development agency. Funding for the project has been secured from the UK Government and Tees Valley Investment Zone.

TIME + SPACE is acting as development manager and specialist operations and facilities manager in partnership with Leonard Design Architects and Stace, who is acting as Quantity Surveyor and Construction Project Manager/ Employers Agent on the project.
Piers Read, CEO of TIME + SPACE, said: “TIME + SPACE is delighted to have advised on this hugely significant regeneration in Hartlepool. As specialists in developing creatively led real estate, we are excited to be going forward by revitalising these much loved but overlooked urban spaces by turning them into vibrant communities driven by film, entertainment, media and hospitality.”

John Holden, Director Major Projects at Leonard Design, said: “Leonard Design is proud to be designing and delivering the transformational Hartlepool Screen Industries Production Village and Northern Studios expansion, working alongside TIME + SPACE and in collaboration with Hartlepool Borough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority. This visionary project establishes Hartlepool as the North East’s premier creative district, creating significant employment while transforming disused town centre buildings into vibrant creative workspaces and securing the town’s place at the heart of the UK’s rapidly expanding screen industries sector.

Simon Hugill, Partner at Stace, said “This success marks the next step in a transformational masterplan for Hartlepool and Tees Valley, which will have a rippling impact across the UK’s creative industries. It will catalyse regeneration in Hartlepool and drive further investment, as intended by the Levelling Up Funding it has received for the production village and ancillary buildings.

“Working together with our partners TIME + SPACE, Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Corporation Authority and the wider project team, we have been pleased to support the delivery of this planning consent for the new studios, production village and ancillary buildings in a way that responds to the specialist needs of this sector, the parameters of its funding, and local context.”

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “This is a game-changing moment for Hartlepool—not just for our creative industries, but for the town as a whole. 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.

“We’re transforming nine disused buildings into dynamic spaces for production, innovation, and collaboration, breathing new life into areas that have long needed revitalisation. This development will help nurture local talent, support small businesses, and position Hartlepool as a serious player in the UK’s creative sector.

I’m incredibly proud of the partnership working that has brought us to this point. Together, we’re creating jobs, driving investment, and laying the foundations for a more prosperous and vibrant future for Hartlepool.”

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor said: “This is fantastic news for Hartlepool and the whole of Teesside. The expansion of The Northern Studios and the creation of a brand-new TV and film production village will put our region firmly on the map as a home for world-class screen industries.

“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.
“We have already seen through shows like I Fought The Law how we are telling powerful and engaging stories about Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington – and these new facilities will build on that to deliver something truly transformational for the town and wider region.”

The Northern Studios, which opened in 2022, have already hosted high-profile productions including the feature film Jackdaw, BBC’s Smoggie Queens, and ITV’s I Fought the Law. The expansion will build on this success, attracting both national and international productions to the town.

With planning approvals now in place and funding secured, construction is expected to begin within the coming months.

Ends.

For further information and interview requests contact:

Olivia Leckner at Ing Media
stace@ing-media.com

Notes for editors:
For immediate release.

TIME + SPACE
TIME + SPACE is a specialist in adaptive re-use of urban environments, and makes places by turning them into vibrant, thriving districts. They advise, develop, and operate, guiding every step of the journey to include strategic vision & master planning, design, development & construction and operational management & activation. Specialising in creative real estate — entertainment, tech, culture, and hospitality — we deliver turn-key solutions that spark regeneration and create lasting social and economic impact.
https://www.time-space.uk

Hartlepool Borough Council
Hartlepool Borough Council is a unitary authority covering the borough of Hartlepool.
Hartlepool is located on the North East coast at the eastern end of the Tees Valley. It is compact and densely populated, covering an area of 9,386 hectares with an estimated population of over 95,000, living in over 45,000 households.
A former heavily industrialised town which continues to have a significant port facility, millions of pounds are being invested in the borough in a series of high-profile regeneration schemes led by the Council and aimed at developing the borough as a visitor destination and creating new sustainable employment opportunities in high-tech/creative industries.
www.hartlepool.gov.uk

Tees Valley Combined Authority
The Tees Valley Combined Authority was created in April 2016. Its purpose is to drive economic growth and job creation in the area. It is a partnership of five authorities; Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, working closely with the business community and other partners to make local decisions to support the growth of our economy.

Northern School of Art
The Northern School of Art is the North East’s only specialist art and design school, with an Ofsted Outstanding (2025) further education site in central Middlesbrough and a TEF Gold (2023) degree and postgraduate campus in Hartlepool. Drawing on more than 150 years of creative education, the School offers award-winning pathways for learners aged 6+—from weekly Saturday Clubs and Arts Award to further, higher and postgraduate study.
Teaching is led by industry-active tutors and supported by sector-standard facilities and equipment. Notable alumni include Sir Ridley Scott and Mackenzie Thorpe. Learn more at www.northernart.ac.uk. Follow @thenorthernart on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

About The Northern School of Art
The Northern School of Art is the North East’s only specialist art and design school, with an Ofsted Outstanding (2025) further education site in central Middlesbrough and a TEF Gold (2023) degree and postgraduate campus in Hartlepool. Drawing on more than 150 years of creative education, the School offers award-winning pathways for learners aged 6+—from weekly Saturday Clubs and Arts Award to further, higher and postgraduate study. Teaching is led by industry-active tutors and supported by sector-standard facilities and equipment. Notable alumni include Sir Ridley Scott and Mackenzie Thorpe. Learn more atwww.northernart.ac.uk. Follow @thenorthernart on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

About North East Screen
North East Screen is the screen agency for the North East. We develop and champion North East England as one of the UK’s leading film and TV production hubs where exceptional screen industry talent can live, create and work. We support all incoming productions with crew, locations and facilities shooting anywhere in the North East England through our free and invaluable Film Office. We manage the North East Production Fund on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership. We work with Indie production companies based in the North East providing them with business and commission development support. We offer professional support to home grown freelancers including writers, producers and directors and artist filmmakers. We connect experienced crew to job opportunities and, for those just starting out and wanting to work in film and TV, we run the NE Screen Crew Academy.
www.northeastscreen.org

North East Screen Industries Partnership was formed by Combined and Local Authorities from across the region to level up the regional film and TV industries by more than doubling its 2019 share of the UK production market.

It includes Tees Valley Combined Authority, (representing the five authorities of Hartlepool Borough Council, Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, Darlington Borough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council), and the North East Combined Authority, representing its partner authorities: Northumberland County Council, North Tyneside Council, Newcastle City Council, Durham County Council, Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council.