BBC reveals name of new Digbeth studios

The BBC’s new studios in Digbeth are to be named The Tea Factory, reflecting its transformation from the old Typhoo Building.

Stuart Thomas, the BBC’s head of the Midlands said on LinkedIn: “I’m delighted to announce that the name for our new building in Birmingham will be.. The Tea Factory.

“We asked colleagues for suggestions – and 122 offered up an idea. Several came up with The Tea Factory and it’s great – reflecting the heritage of the site and fitting in with other building names nearby.

“Looking forward to moving in in 2026!”

Stoford has submitted a planning application for the BBC’s new Birmingham base as it aims to move from its current home at The Mailbox to the new 84,001 sq ft custom-built centre in 2025. The Bordesley Street landmark will be one of Birmingham’s first net zero carbon in construction office buildings.

The Tea Factory will house several BBC editorial teams, including The Archers, BBC Asian Network, BBC Newsbeat, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today.

Stoford is working with The Gooch Estate, Glenn Howells Architects, Turley and several public sector partners to deliver the development and to prepare a vision for the wider area, which will be served by multiple public transport connections, including a new tram top, HS2’s Curzon Street terminus, and the existing Birmingham coach and Moor Street railway stations.

Over the next decade, Stoford plans to deliver up to 800,000 sq ft of new residential, office and hospitality accommodation around the new BBC. The wider scheme will see more than 10 acres of underutilised land around Typhoo Wharf and the adjoining canal basin transformed into a new mixed-use neighbourhood.

Grant Associates is designing the new landscape and urban realm, which will create a new canalside quarter centred on the canal which used to bring tea in and out of the original Typhoo building. The new public square will be delivered in time for the first BBC staff to move in in 2026.