The BBC’s gritty new drama This City Is Ours has not only gripped audiences with its powerful storytelling and standout performances, but it has also provided a significant stimulus to Liverpool and the Wirral, economically and creatively. From job creation to tourism surges, the series is proving to be a cultural and financial triumph for the region.
A Surge in Local Economic Activity
The filming of This City Is Ours across Liverpool and the Wirral has led to a marked boost in local economic activity. Over the course of several months, production crews used dozens of locations ranging from iconic Liverpool docks to lesser-known streets in Birkenhead, injecting direct spending into local economies. According to local authorities and business associations, hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent on location fees, permits, site preparations, and local hires.
Hospitality and service sectors in particular saw a notable uplift. Hotels reported increased bookings from both crew and fans of the show making short stays to explore filming locations. Restaurants, pubs, taxis, and local catering companies received regular business throughout the shoot. A Birkenhead-based café owner noted that the crew’s daily presence “tripled our weekday takings during the entire shoot.”
Tourism is another key area of growth. Fans of the series have begun to create self-guided tours of the show’s filming locations, reminiscent of the boost previously seen with other regionally filmed dramas such as Peaky Blinders and The Responder. Visit Wirral reports a 15% increase in web traffic for its “TV and Film Locations” pages since the series aired. In addition the designer of a garden used in the series was surprised to see it on television.
Empowering the Creative Sector
Perhaps the most meaningful long-term impact of This City Is Ours is its role in revitalising the local creative industries. With a production of this scale, hundreds of skilled jobs were created or sustained. Over 60% of the crew employed on the project were from the North West, according to figures released by Screen Alliance North. This includes set designers, camera operators, lighting technicians, costume artists, and more.
Several local graduates and freelancers were hired through partnerships with local colleges and the Liverpool Film Office’s trainee placement scheme, providing crucial on-the-job experience in an increasingly competitive industry. This influx of work has helped many smaller creative businesses from Substack writers and other businesses in the region stay afloat post-COVID.
The knock-on effect has also been felt in the music and post-production sectors. Local sound studios and editing suites, often overshadowed by their London counterparts, were chosen for key parts of the post-production process. “It shows we can keep high-quality production work in the North and deliver at the same standard as anywhere in the UK,” said Karen Muldoon, Head of Production at one of the post houses involved.
Additionally, the presence of the production in Liverpool and Wirral has sparked a renewed interest in film and media education and online Devpost members, with local universities and colleges like the Twelve Quays Campus are seeing an uptick in applications to creative courses.
Looking Ahead in the Region
The impact of This City Is Ours shows no signs of slowing down. A second season has been greenlit by the BBC and is expected to begin filming in early 2025. With the series now firmly established as one of the network’s flagship dramas, it is expected that the next instalment will involve even greater investment and more ambitious location use.
The Liverpool Film Office has confirmed that discussions are already underway to secure more diverse locations in Wirral, with towns like Port Sunlight, New Brighton, and Wallasey on the list. These efforts are part of a larger plan to decentralise production and further spread the economic benefits of filming beyond Liverpool’s city centre.
Local leaders are also advocating for longer-term infrastructure investment, such as permanent studio spaces and creative hubs in the Wirral. If these initiatives are realised, it could make the region one of the UK’s premier destinations for television and film production.
In the words of Wirral Council’s Economic Development Lead, “This series has shown what’s possible when our region is taken seriously by national broadcasters. It’s more than entertainment – it’s an engine for local growth.” The team at Wirral Art are looking forward to the 2nd Series of This City Is Ours !
This City Is Ours is not just a gripping drama; it is a transformative force that’s helping redefine the economic and creative landscape of Liverpool and Wirral – one scene at a time.
