The remarkable cultural and economic revival driven by film and television in Birmingham's Digbeth area could soon spread across the wider West Midlands region, the Mayor has stated.
Digbeth's Success Story Fuels Regional Ambition
Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, confirmed that the area's transformation, highlighted by major productions like Peaky Blinders and the relocation of the BBC's Midlands HQ, is attracting significant attention. He revealed that investors have now approached him expressing interest in building new film studios in the Black Country.
This follows the launch earlier this year of Production Central WM, a new film production office designed to connect producers with locations, crew, and suppliers across the region. Mayor Parker emphasised that while this initiative was launched in Digbeth, its benefits must be felt region-wide.
Major Projects and Investor Confidence
Digbeth's status as a creative hub is being cemented by several high-profile developments. Writer and director Steven Knight confirmed that filming for the new Peaky Blinders movie has taken place at his Digbeth Loc studios. Furthermore, the BBC has moved its regional headquarters to the new Tea Factory site in the area.
Another ambitious plan is the Warwick Bar Prospectus, which outlines a vision for a vast area the size of 22 football pitches. The project has the potential to deliver 1,700 new homes and 110,000 square feet of creative workspace.
"We will be investing in (Production Central) that will help drive more productions and capacity for creative industries here," Mayor Parker stated. "That initiative was launched in Digbeth but I have been approached by investors who want to build film studios in the Black Country."
A Strategy for the Whole Region
Mayor Parker was clear about his priority to ensure investment leverage extends beyond Birmingham's borders. "Birmingham is important but I’m the Mayor of the whole region," he said. "It’s important we get the leverage from that investment in Birmingham in other parts of the region. That will be a priority for me going forward."
He also pointed to lessons learned from supporting other major projects, such as the £3 billion development around Birmingham City FC, including extending the Midland Metro. This model of holistic support involving infrastructure, land, and skills is now being applied elsewhere.
"In Walsall, we are doing that around supporting aspects of the defence industry," Parker explained, citing work with a major contractor bidding for a Ministry of Defence contract. "We can help them... look at sites we can free up... and how we can support them on the skills agenda."
The Mayor's message underscores a strategic push to capitalise on the screen industry's momentum, aiming to create jobs and growth across the entire West Midlands.
