Work to build Birmingham's new BBC MasterChef studios in Digbeth gets underway - when it will open

Work has begun to build the BBC's new Masterchef studios in Digbeth in Birmingham.

It was announced in January this year that the hit TV cooking show would officially be coming to Birmingham after planning permission for the new studios in Digbeth were given the green light by the city council.

The former Banana Warehouse on Fazeley Street will become the show’s new home after the BBC announced its plans to relocate the show from London to Birmingham last year. Construction work got underway on Tuesday, December 5, to convert the warehouse into a state-of-the-art studio.

The abandoned Grade II listed building at Fazeley Street by the Grand Union Canal will now be transformed into a studio and filming area for the show.

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is set to be the asset manager of the new project, with the studio plans also being brought forward by development company Digbeth Loc Limited, owned by Brydell Partners with leading UK property developer Stanhope acting as development manager.

The film studio is the first step in a wider masterplan which will see the regeneration of the 20-acre Warwick Bar site into a thriving creative quarter including over 900 new homes. The studios are set to support 750 local jobs and are hoped will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area. The creation of the new Digbeth film studio comes as the BBC moves forward with plans to move their Birmingham HQ to Digbeth in a purpose-built broadcast centre which will be known as The Tea Factory.

When will the studio be complete?

Construction is set to complete in autumn 2024 and the BBC and MasterChef producer Shine TV (part of Banijay UK) will commence filming at Digbeth Loc Studios. The BBC say the ambition is for all MasterChef series to be filmed in Digbeth for the foreseeable future.

What's been said about the plans?

Steven Knight said: “To be digging ground in Digbeth for the new home of MasterChef is the realisation of a long held dream that world class TV and film production will come and thrive in Birmingham. Since the move was first announced, Digbeth Loc. Studios have secured some phenomenal franchises and with the new BBC HQ on our doorstep we can confidently say Digbeth is the new big everything for content production.”

Peter Denton at Homes England, added: “The restoration of the Banana Warehouse secures an exciting future for a building that is a key historical asset. We are very pleased that this work will bring a major TV production to the heart of the West Midlands, creating unparalleled new opportunities, jobs and investment. It is a transformational achievement, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to realise the opportunities that Digbeth has to offer.”