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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Alistair Houghton

BBC Midlands moving to new Birmingham hub in Digbeth

BBC Midlands is to move from The Mailbox to a purpose-built broadcast centre at the former Typhoo Factory site in Digbeth.

The broadcaster says the move will be "a catalyst for the wider creative regeneration of the Digbeth creative quarter" - and will also help it meet its Net Zero commitments as it will cost less to run than its current home.

All of the teams based at The Mailbox, including Newsbeat and the Asian Network which are relocating to the city this year, will move to the new fully accessible centre.

The new base is next door to Digbeth Loc Studios, the future home of the BBC’s flagship food entertainment strand MasterChef.

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The move is part of the BBC’s Across the UK strategy to transform its impact across the Midlands.

The BBC is currently broadcasting from the Commonwealth Games in the city. It has also commissioned many more programmes in the region, including Two Tone from the creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, and Phoenix Rise for BBC Children’s.

Tim Davie, BBC director-general, says: “This is another important day for the region. We said we would do more in the Midlands and we’re delivering. The new broadcast centre in Digbeth will give our teams the best facilities and technology to serve audiences for decades to come.

“Moving our Birmingham headquarters to Digbeth is going to help build the creative success of the region - drawing new investment and production to the Midlands - and sits at the heart of the BBC’s Across The UK plans to deliver significant increases in editorial spend and decision-making outside London.

“This decision is one of a number of exciting announcements which strengthen our commitment to the region, including the relocation of programmes like MasterChef and Newsbeat.”

Stuart Thomas, Head of BBC Midlands, says: “This is the perfect home for the BBC in the Midlands, a building steeped in history now waiting to come back to life in one of the most up and coming, creative districts in the country.

“The reimagined former Typhoo Factory will be far more visible for our audience, in a greener, more accessible and more flexible space. We can’t wait to take up residence there, continuing to build on what we do best making the news and programmes in the Midlands that we all really care about.”

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, says: “I am incredibly excited that the BBC is starting a new chapter in the West Midlands with this major investment to create their greenest and most modern facility ever - right here in the heart of our region.

“Not only will their phenomenal new home at the former Typhoo Factory act as the catalyst for the wider regeneration of Digbeth to become a global creative quarter, but it will also act as a magnet for young creative talent right across the West Midlands and the wider UK.

“I am grateful to the Director-General Tim Davie for showing such confidence in the West Midlands, and for working with us to bring our Memorandum Of Understanding to life.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, says: "I'm absolutely delighted at this huge vote of confidence in Birmingham. As the BBC clearly recognises, this is a city on the up and our creative industries will have a big role to play in this golden decade of opportunity for Birmingham.

"The 2022 Commonwealth Games has showcased Birmingham's youth, energy and creativity. Our city is full of untapped potential and the BBC’s investment will help it to flourish and grow, creating new jobs, skills and opportunities for our citizens."

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