Film Friendly Neighbourhood Scheme announced – bringing improvements to Falkner Square area

Two new accessible chess tables, along with new signage, bins and a community noticeboard in the Falkner Square area of the Georgian Quarter comes as part of our new ‘Film Friendly Neighbourhood’ scheme, an initiative launched so the city’s thriving film and TV sector can have a positive impact on local communities most impacted by production.

The scheme has been launched to encourage productions which film in residential areas to give something back to that community – enhancing community engagement, improving transparency, and maximising economic and social returns for the areas where filming takes place.

As a hot-spot for Liverpool-based production, providing the backdrop for the likes of Peaky Blinders, Tin Star and Outlander to name just a few, Falkner Square has been chosen as the first place to benefit from FFN – coming as a result of productions based all around he city donating into the fund across a number of years, with nearly £130,000 donated to charity or invested in good causes across Liverpool City Region to date.

Some donations for areas can be pooled together with other funding sources – for example, Section 106 monies and/or the Local Neighbourhood Fund – to invest in larger projects which benefit the community.  Falkner Square is one of these examples, and combining the Film Friendly Neighbourhoods money, Section 106 and Local Neighbourhood Fund that has facilitated lighting improvements, fence repainting, drainage and new paving in the area.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Liverpool’s screen industry is a huge asset to our city—not just economically, but culturally and socially. With the Film Friendly Neighbourhoods initiative, we’re making sure that the benefits of this booming sector are felt directly by the communities who host these productions. Whether it’s through funding for local improvements, educational opportunities for young people, or simply better communication and engagement – this is about creating a fairer, more inclusive model for how filming takes place in our city. We want residents to feel proud that their neighbourhoods are part of Liverpool’s global screen success—and to see real, lasting value from it.”

Councillor Nathalie Nicholas, Canning Ward Councillor, which Falkner Square forms part of, said: “As the local ward councillor, it’s not only fair but incredibly rewarding to see how film production donations back to the community—when combined with Section 106 funding and Local Neighbourhood Fund —can deliver real, lasting improvements for our  constituents and neighbourhoods. I’ve worked closely with residents to make sure the changes reflect what the community actually wants – whether it’s new paving, better lighting, or accessible public spaces. It’s about making sure the excitement of filming translates into meaningful benefits for the people who live here every day.”