BBC Birmingham HQ to Go Ahead at Former Typhoo Tea Factory

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24 March 2023

A new 84,001 sq ft custom-built centre at the former Typhoo Tea factory in Digbeth, Birmingham is to be BBC Midlands' new headquarters.

Birmingham City Council planners have given the go-ahead to developer Stoford. The Tea Factory will be one of Birmingham’s first net-zero carbon in construction office buildings and when complete will house several BBC editorial teams including The Archers, BBC Asian Network, BBC Newsbeat, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today. The building is on target to achieve a BREEAM rating of outstanding and an energy performance certificate of A.

BBC Midlands is currently based on the third floor of The Mailbox, featuring a Broadcast Support Centre, TV & radio studios, and the Shows & Tours Visitor Centre.

The Tea Factory

Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said the Bordesley Street landmark represents the first phase of a wider masterplan for the surrounding area”

“Our hard work over the past couple of years has built up to this and we are excited to be given the go-ahead to begin transforming and reusing the building.

“We’ve been working closely with the BBC to ensure we not only keep the historic legacy of the almost 100-year-old factory but also deliver a pioneering scheme using low carbon principles. We are looking forward to breathing new life into it.”

Stoford also plans to deliver up to 800,000 sq ft of new residential, office and hospitality accommodation around the new BBC building, transforming over 10 acres of underutilised land around Typhoo Wharf and the adjoining canal basin.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “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.”

Picture: An artist's impression of the new BBC Midlands site (Oxford Street approach). Image Credit: Typhoo Wharf.

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 24 March 2023

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