Leonard Design is proud to be part of a landmark moment for Hartlepool’s creative sector, as planning permission is officially granted for a major expansion of The Northern Studios and the development of a new Screen Industries Production Village.
Led by Hartlepool Borough Council, in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen, the £33.5 million project will deliver larger, state-of-the-art studios and repurpose nine disused buildings into cutting-edge production spaces, workshops, and collaborative hubs. Among the heritage buildings to be revitalised is the Grade-II listed Shades Hotel, which will be brought back into use alongside several other historic properties.
The expansion builds on the success of The Northern Studios, which opened in 2022 and have already hosted high-profile productions including Jackdaw, BBC’s Smoggie Queens, and ITV’s I Fought the Law. With upgraded facilities and a new creative ecosystem, Hartlepool is set to attract both national and international productions.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, called the moment “game-changing,” adding:
“The expansion of our film and TV industry will create over 130 new jobs, deliver a significant boost to the local economy, and firmly establish Hartlepool as a creative powerhouse.”
The development is being delivered in collaboration with Leonard Design and TIME + SPACE, with funding secured from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the Tees Valley Investment Zone.
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said the investment will “put our region firmly on the map as a home for world-class screen industries,” while Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, praised the long-term vision and support that made the project possible.
Commenting on the announcement, John Holden, Director of Major Projects at Leonard Design, said:
“Securing planning permission is a pivotal milestone. This project blends heritage and innovation to create a dynamic production environment that will elevate Hartlepool’s role in the UK’s screen industries. We’re proud to help shape a destination that inspires collaboration, creativity and growth.”
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