The BBC’s hit show MasterChef is to relocate to Birmingham as part of the levelling up agenda, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency has announced.
Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with development firm Digbeth Loc Limited and their partners to help bring the MasterChef studios to its Warwick Bar site in central Birmingham.
Homes England has assembled Warwick Bar – a collection of derelict and brownfield sites around Digbeth – to help catalyse the regeneration of Digbeth.
The agency will look to lease part of their land, at Fazeley Street, Warwick Bar to Digbeth Loc Limited, who will develop proposals for a mixed-used scheme, starting with a film studio to house the production of BBC’s MasterChef.
The agreement supports Birmingham City Council’s Development Plan, which identifies Digbeth as a new urban village centred on creative industries, leisure and residential-led mixed use development.
Commenting on the agreement, Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: ‘I'm delighted to welcome Masterchef to Birmingham and today's announcement production of the hit BBC show is moving from London to Digbeth just underlines our growing status as a fantastic Food City.
‘With five Michelin-starred restaurants, the world-famous Balti Triangle, a vibrant street food scene and a host of amazing independents, this is the perfect home for the BBC's flagship culinary programme.
‘Of course, Birmingham is also fast becoming one of the UK’s prime locations for filming and we have the talent and creativity needed to make this latest move a resounding success.’
Mike Palin, interim executive director, markets, partners & places at Homes England, commented: ‘The regeneration of Warwick Bar will have a transformational impact on central Birmingham and the wider economy. Not only will it create jobs in the area, it will stimulate the development of a creative hub for the city, delivering on Birmingham City Council’s aspirations and the Levelling Up agenda. The relocation of such a major production operation from London to the city is just the first example of that.
‘This agreement is testament to the importance of partnership working in place-making. We have the expertise, the influence, and the appetite to support and empower local leadership to meet their ambitions and transform derelict urban sites into beautiful communities.’
Steven Knight, Digbeth Loc Limited, said: ‘I am so excited to kick off the regeneration of this area with this announcement. To have such an iconic, globally respected British brand come to the heart of Birmingham is a genuine game changer for the city and the West Midlands. Birmingham welcomes MasterChef with the promise that more is yet to come.’
