Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight’s Digbeth Loc TV & film studio: opening date, jobs, star reaction & more

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has launched a new multimillion-pound TV and film studio in Digbeth.

Knight’s iconic BBC gangster drama Peaky Blinders was first screened on TV almost a decade and has had an indelible effect on our culture in the UK. From themed gin bars, to men asking for a ‘Peaky Blinders’ trim at the barbers, it’s clear that the show has left its mark.

Since the success of Peaky Blinders, Knight has been eager to use the show’s worldwide impact to Birmingham’s advantage, and his new studios are set to create opportunites for creatives in the city.

What will the studios be used for?

The new studio will be used for production of the new Peaky Blinders film as well as Knight’s new BBC inspired music drama, This Town. It will also be used for many other film and television projects in the UK.

The new studios are part of Knight’s long-term vision for the city, alongside business partner, TIME+SPACE CEO Piers Read. Knight says the aim is to create a ‘cultural legacy’ for his home city by welcoming major blue-chip brands to the multimedia headquarters.

Knight’s studios will be the first major television and film production facilities of this scale to ever be developed in Birmingham, with This Town, MasterChef, and the new Peaky Blinders film all partnering with the studio. An area of the new studios is also expected to be occupied by legendary Brum reggae band UB40.

Where are the studios located exactly and when does the site open?

The studio site is on Fazeley Street in Digbeth. Construction on the site started on Tuesday (March 21), with works expected to complete by July 15. The first filming onsite will take place in October 2023, as Digbeth Loc. Studios officially becomes open for business from next week.

The development will see disused, old Victorian era buildings converted into the modern, state-of-the-art studio complex, comprising three film studios, production offices and construction workshops; spanning 80,000 sq.ft of regenerated space in Digbeth. The site is set to open next week (week beginning March 27).

Digbeth Loc. Studios is envisioned to play a catalytic role in the wider, regeneration-led reimagining of Digbeth. A range of public and private partners - including Stanhope PLC and Brydell Partners – will spend the next 12 months exploring how the area’s disused brownfield land could be transformed into a major economic and cultural centre.

How many jobs will be created?

It is anticipated the studios will contribute more than £30m to the local economy, as well as creating 760 local jobs. Many of these jobs are expected to be in media production roles, as well as office jobs and warehouse roles.

What has Stephen Knight said about the new studios in his own words?

He said: “It’s so exciting that this day has come and after a lot of hard work by lots of people at Homes England, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

“Our plans are ambitious and we will be making TV and movies on an international scale. We are planting an industry in the fertile soil of Birmingham and we need local people to make it happen.

“We have structures in place to begin the business of training local people in the skills needed and we want people to know that this is a viable industry that is here to stay. We’re setting up in the heart of, what was once, Peaky Blinders country and it’s very fitting that we are bringing it all back home.”

What have TV and film personalities in Birmingham and the West Midladns said about the new TV & film studios?

Sir Lenny Henry has expressed his excitement at the new studios. The award-winning actor and entertainer, said: “I’m so chuffed that Steven is all the way behind Digbeth Loc. Studios. The idea of a world beating studio based in Birmingham with the strong intent to create Brum based stories, mythologies and narratives is very close to my heart. Go Steve Go!”

Meera Syal CBE FRSL, BAFTA award winning actress and writer, said: “This is thrilling, game changing news and huge congratulations to the creative powerhouse, Steven Knight and his team, for the launch of Digbeth Loc. Studios. I am proud to be a supporter and hopefully a future contributor to DLS and look forward to celebrating the creative and cultural talent bursting out of our beloved Brum.”

Robin Campbell, UB40 founder member, said: “Digbeth Loc. is the most exciting development to happen in Birmingham for decades. It will invite talent, business and projects from around the world to the beating heart of the city, to work with Birmingham’s best.

“We can’t wait to get back to Digbeth, which was UB40’s home for 30 years and a huge part of our story. Our new offices and studio will continue that story alongside Steven Knight’s vision for the city, which we wholeheartedly support. The cultural capital of Birmingham will continue to flourish at Digbeth Loc.”

What have Birmingham leaders have said about the new TV and film studios?

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “The unveiling of Digbeth Loc is a truly landmark moment. Steven Knight - Peaky Blinders creator and proud Brummie - has already done so much to put our region on the map and now these Studios will help to usher in a golden era for our burgeoning creative sector. We want broadcasters and content creators worldwide to know that the West Midlands is very much open for business.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:“We are making this investment into Digbeth Loc. Studios because the creative industries are fundamental to Birmingham’s golden decade of opportunity, following the extraordinary triumph of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“The Games shone a positive light on the city’s youth, energy and creativity and this exciting new multimedia destination in Digbeth will build on that success. Birmingham’s cultural star continues to rise, and we are proud to support Steven Knight as he leads the way in bringing world-class television and film production to the city.”

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “Having worked closely with Steven Knight and the Digbeth Loc. team for some time, it’s hugely exciting to see work now underway on the studio development. This is an important vote of confidence in the nascent strengths of our creative community, our vision to create an environment that nurtures talent and will, no doubt, attract further inward investment into this sector right across the region.”