First set specialist secured for Digbeth Loc. Studios

Steven Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios has announced the addition of set specialists 4Wood to the Digbeth development.

The Cardiff set construction firm was established in 2005, and is behind the sets for the BBC’s Doctor Who 60th anniversary episodes, including the new Tardis. Other recent productions include the BBC’s Lost Boys and Fairies, due to feature in the Berlin Film Festival and ITVX’s The Winter King.

This new regional base makes them the first set specialists in the facility and one of the first production service businesses.

4Wood’s goal is to accelerate growth by offering knowledge to productions based at Digbeth, alongside taking advantage of a convenient location for productions across the region.

After nine years in the making, Digbeth Loc. Studios is the Peaky Blinders creator’s vision alongside business partner TIME+SPACE CEO Piers Read, to create a cultural legacy for his home city by welcoming major blue-chip brands to the multimedia headquarters.

Details of the firm’s first open evening will be announced soon, with plans to recruit trades people in carpentry, metal work, decorators, model making, sculpture and CNC.

Graham Webb, managing director, 4Wood said: “We’ve been so impressed by the vision for Digbeth Loc. and the calibre of productions that they are already beginning to attract. High-end TV, feature films and, increasingly, formatted shows, are our sweet spot. So, this was too good of an opportunity to miss as we grow.”

James Thorne, creative director 4Wood added: “As we’ve expanded it’s become clear that producers and art directors value our ability to bring their vision to reality by building sets, almost to completion, in our own workshop and then transporting them to sound stages or locations for the final fit. With an ever-growing portfolio of work, it made sense to open a second workshop in the heart of the UK.

“Our growth plan includes training new specialists in the art of set construction, creating local employment opportunities for Digbeth Loc.’s community. We’ll be using our experience from Cardiff to encourage local trades people into the industry, starting with an open evening for the local community. More news to follow soon.”

Piers Read, CEO, TIME + SPACE, said: “Alongside offering world-class studio facilities in the heart of Birmingham, Digbeth Loc. Studios aims to attract industry leading production services to the region. 4Wood are amongst the very best at what they do and their background in creating training and employment opportunities in Cardiff is exactly the kind of ethos which fits our vision.”