Is a Peaky Blinders theme park coming to Birmingham? Everything we know about plans

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Exciting reports claim Peaky Blinders theme park is coming to Birmingham - here’s everything we know

The hit BBC Show Peaky Blinders could be set to get its own theme park in Birmingham, according to reports. The BBC has produced many hit shows like Merlin, Sherlock, and more but nothing compares to the one set in Birmingham.

Created by writer Steven Knight - who lived near Birmingham as a young boy - this show has gained success beyond some of the wildest dreams. It’s counted among hit shows like Breaking Bad and Ozark because of its dark content and loved by audiences across the world - putting Birmingham on the map like never before.

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The period starring Cillian Murphy as an early 20th century gang boss - Peaky Blinders - takes inspiration from a real life Birmingham youth gang that was once active in the city between the 1880s to 1910s.

There has already been a Peaky Blinders Festival held for the show in Digbeth, Rambert created an iconic dance show based on the show, and it was featured in the Commonwealth Games 2022 closing ceremony. Birmingham has also hosted World premiere for each new series. And Peaky Blinders is set to get its own movie involving Digbeth Loc.

Now there are a host of reports saying that a Peaky Blinders theme park is coming to Birmingham. Tourism chiefs are eager to use the popularity of the show and reap more rewards from its success.

Cillian Murphy and Steven Knight  (Photo by Nicky J Sims/Getty Images)Cillian Murphy and Steven Knight  (Photo by Nicky J Sims/Getty Images)
Cillian Murphy and Steven Knight (Photo by Nicky J Sims/Getty Images) | Getty Images

What has been said about theme park?

The Sun quoted a TV insider as saying: “This may sound like a crazy idea but Peaky Blinders was such a phenomenon and it’s reaped huge rewards for Britain.

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“Although the show was ultra- violent, it also showcased our industrial past, not to mention a whole new wave of fashion and haircuts. So it’s actually a no-brainer for tourism chiefs keen to get the maximum draw and make the most of a TV show that was an international hit.”

Birmingham tourism chiefs at West Midlands Growth Company has reportedly asked creative companies to create a concept for a permanent attraction with the canals around Digbeth Loc as a centrepiece, reported the Sun.

Steven Knight has not confirmed or denied the news about the theme park - and his agent told BirminghamWorld that he was unavailable to comment further at this stage.

However WMGC and Birmingham City Council have responded to our requests for comments, with WMGC saying that they are currently undertaking a feasibility study looking into how feasibile a new Peaky Blinders attractio or expierience could be for Birmingham and the Black Country.

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Neil Rami, Chief Executive, West Midlands Growth Company, said:Peaky Blinders is a West Midlands success story, putting Birmingham and the Black Country on the map with visitors. This year we are working extensively on a campaign focusing on the impact of the hit series and the West Midlands’ screen tourism sector.

“It is a no-brainer to consider doing something more permanent for visitors to celebrate Peaky and the upcoming film, so we have launched a feasibility study to investigate whether a new experience or attraction would be viable.”

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: Birmingham is central to the Peaky Blinders story, with the city and Black Country’s streets relayed to millions of homes in the UK and across the world.

“Beyond Peaky Blinders’ popularity, the appeal of Birmingham as a prime location for leading national and international filmmakers has grown, with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise recently calling the city home for filming projects.”

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Peaky Blinders scene at Stanley Dock. Image: Caryn Mandabach ProductionsPeaky Blinders scene at Stanley Dock. Image: Caryn Mandabach Productions
Peaky Blinders scene at Stanley Dock. Image: Caryn Mandabach Productions | Caryn Mandabach Productions

What can we expect at the theme park?

No details have been given about what kind of rides or activities that have been discussed as part of the plans for the Peaky Blinders theme park.

In 2019 the huge Peaky Blinders festival in Digbeth created a stunning spectacle with hundreds of actors from the show dressed up in costume wandering around the streets.

The festival was themed around a 1928 street fair and carnival that was hosted by gang leader Tommy Shelby and family to raise funds for the fictional Shelby Foundation and the Grace Shelby Institute.

The names ‘Arthur’ and ‘Tommy’ – after the iconic Peaky Blinders characters, such as Cillian Murphy's character Tommy, pictured, – have been consistently popular since the release of the first series in 2013. Following the airing of its final episode in 2022, the names are predicted to remain favour throughout 2023.The names ‘Arthur’ and ‘Tommy’ – after the iconic Peaky Blinders characters, such as Cillian Murphy's character Tommy, pictured, – have been consistently popular since the release of the first series in 2013. Following the airing of its final episode in 2022, the names are predicted to remain favour throughout 2023.
The names ‘Arthur’ and ‘Tommy’ – after the iconic Peaky Blinders characters, such as Cillian Murphy's character Tommy, pictured, – have been consistently popular since the release of the first series in 2013. Following the airing of its final episode in 2022, the names are predicted to remain favour throughout 2023.

The “immersive re-creation of the Peaky Blinders world” included performers like Primal Scream, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Anna Calvi and headliner Liam Gallagher.

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You could also get into bare-knuckle fights, listend to swing bands, and attend a cast Q&A featuring cast members Sam Neill (Major Campbell), Paul Anderson (Arthur Shelby) and Kate Phillips (Linda Shelby). Cillian Murphy couldn’t make it to the festival.

We will bring you further updates as soon as we hear about them.

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