A heritage project and animated film made from archival footage, interviews, original music and writing.
In 2018 we partnered with LJMU’s Screen School, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to develop a new project that responds to and explores the unique history of Littlewoods, together with local people.
The Littlewoods building on Edge Lane, Liverpool, is a former Pools factory a short walk from Edge Hill Station. It is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the City’. However, in spite of its prominence as a striking landmark, many are unaware of its amazing history. Beneath the bricks and mortar, the building reveals a fascinating tale about working life in the 20th Century. Completed in 1938, the site was originally used to house the Littlewoods Pools, a family run business founded by John and Cecil Moores. The Moores Brothers were ahead of their time employing a workforce of mainly women, with over 30,000 employees working for the company at its peak. The building was commandeered during World War II to make barrage balloons and Halifax bombers and Littlewoods were one of the first companies in the UK to introduce IBM computers.
Above All: Inside the Littlewoods Dream Factory
In 2022, inspired by the Littlewoods Pools archive and the stories surrounding the iconic Littlewoods building on Edge Lane, Liverpool local animator Laura Spark created a new 14 minute experimental animated film. Written by Jeff Young and with music by Jezebel Halewood-Leagas, the film was developed through research into the Littlewoods archive, conversations with ex-employees and workshops with local school children.
Click here to watch the fascinating tale about working life in the 20th Century, or press play below.
In 2023, the 100th Anniversary of Littlewoods Pools, a heritage exhibition will tour venues across Liverpool.
