An £18 million investment has created a new film and TV Creative Content Hub at The Bond in Digbeth From skyscrapers to HS2, get the latest on Birmingham's biggest developments as the city skyline continues to evolve We have more newsletters TV shows including Fifth Gear, Gadget Show, and Great
British Menu are set to have a new home in Digbeth thanks to an £18 million 'Creative Content Hub' at The Bond on Fazeley Street. Billed as 'a focal point for film and television production', it will see All3Media companies North One, Optomen Television and Manor Production Services arriving from May 2023. The canalside site will be used to 'explore virtual reality and artificial reality in TV and games' of the future. It has also been reimagined as a multi-purpose venue for hire thanks to a partnership between The Digbeth Estate (Oval Real Estate), the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and Create Central. The
BBC is set to open its new broadcast centre The Tea Factory in 2026. As part of that broader move, MasterChef will arrive at the old Banana Warehouse from 2024. Read more: Birmingham Ormiston Academy star Tom Berkeley wins Oscar with second short film City comedian and presenter Joe Lycett will be bringing a new Channel 4 show to Digbeth soon. And Steven Knight’s proposed film studio and HS2 will also add energy to the local area. Oval Real Estate has already been investing and developing buildings in Birmingham for more than 20 years. Founder James Craig, said: "We are thrilled to officially re-launch The Bond in Digbeth. The Digbeth Estate / Oval Real Estate has re-launched The Bond on Fazeley Street, Digbeth - it can be hired for everything from conferences to screenings, conferences, film shoots and award ceremonies (Image: c/o The Bond) "As custodians of the Digbeth Estate we are beyond proud to reveal the Midlands’ newest production hub, The Bond. It will be an epicentre for film, media and tech within the growing community. "Oval Real Estate develop, manage and invest in buildings throughout the
UK. Specialising in spaces sometimes overlooked, we aim to leave buildings and neighbourhoods better than we found them. As such our ambition is to continue to work with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council to deliver meaningful change in Digbeth by continuing the careful transformation of the area." Create Central Chair, Ed Shedd said: "When Create Central was launched in 2019 the members pitched the idea of a content hub - it’s so exciting to see the real, tangible results from all the industry’s hard work paying off. "The Bond is a great example of a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors to unlock the region's potential. Working in partnership to support new ways of working that will open up opportunities for young creatives, and help to re-invent and future-proof traditional television, film and wider digital content production in the West Midlands." The Bond on Fazeley Street has been relaunched as a new creative hub for film and TV companies (Image: c/o The Bond) Chair of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership ( GBSLEP), Anita Bhalla added: "It’s great to see The Creative Content Hub open! There is huge potential to explore virtual reality and artificial reality in TV and games and to drive forward innovative content production in our region. "This facility is a crucial part of the wider plan for the Digbeth Creative Quarter. GBSLEP’s £3m Local Growth Fund contribution is based on bringing businesses, public and academic sectors together to make locally informed robust investments that create jobs and help grow the
economy in an inclusive and sustainable way. "What a great time for the creative economy which is worth £4 billion in our LEP region and has the potential to add 30,000 jobs and 3,600 more businesses to the creative cluster." Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It’s wonderful to see the rebirth of The Bond and I want to pay tribute to the tremendous spirit of collaboration that has helped bring this about. When we work together as a team - as the Commonwealth Games showed - the West Midlands can be truly world class. "As we drive our regional economic recovery forward, one of the eight pillars in our Plan for Growth is the vital importance of creative content production and gaming so this launch is very timely. Just as our region powered the industrial revolution in centuries gone by, we will be a creative powerhouse in the years ahead - changing the lives of local people for the better.” The Digbeth Estate / Oval Real Estate has re-launched The Bond on Fazeley Street, Digbeth (Image: c/o The Bond) Where is The Bond? The site is 15 minutes' walk from Moor Street Railway Station and the Bullring in Birmingham city centre , but walking time will be halved when it is also be served by the Eastside West Midlands Metro extension from 2027. The Bond sits at the junction of the River Rea and the Grand Union Canal, with its own wharf. The Bond has previously been an Ice Factory, HP Sauce Factory and a Bonded Warehouse. It was once derelict for 30 years. There are five buildings which provide 55,000 sq ft for businesses of all sizes, including event spaces, screening rooms, pod rooms, canalside studios and its own wharf: First Floor 4,761 sq ft, Third Floor 8,169 sq ft and Third Floor Mezzanine, Toll House Ground Floor 2,135 sq ft and First Floor 3,019 sq ft and Retort House 5,974 sq ft. The Bond can also be hired for everything from conferences to screenings, conferences, film shoots and award ceremonies. READ NEXT: Birmingham's giant building projects that are changing the city's skyline Celebrities favourite places to visit in Birmingham - and some might surprise you The five 'underrated' pubs in Birmingham according to CAMRA chairman I tried Glynn Purnell's favourite pizza joint and it left 'Birmingham's best restaurant' in the dust BBC's move to Digbeth Typhoo factory could get green light within days