BBC BIRMINGHAM POSTED TO ‘THE MAILBOX’

THE BBC have announced that they are to move BBC Birmingham to The Mailbox, a new development in the heart of Birmingham.
The BBC argue that the move to the city centre reinforces the BBC’s commitment to national, regional and local programme-making in the West Midlands and will ensure that BBC Birmingham is placed to meet the changing demands of broadcasting and technology in the future.
The space which the BBC will occupy at The Mailbox will be big enough to accommodate 600 staff, the number currently employed at Pebble Mill. The Mailbox will also be the new HQ for BBC English Regions.
Andy Griffee, Controller of the English Regions and Head of Centre for BBC Birmingham, said: “Birmingham is going through an exciting regeneration and I’m delighted that the BBC’s Governors have given their support for this move. There’s a real buzz about the place now, and the BBC are going to be at the heart of it, playing a major role.”
The BBC will occupy over 100,000 sq ft on the first and second floors of The Mailbox, and the development will also house hotels, shops, restaurants and bars in a canal-side location, with a public walkway running through it.
Griffee said: “Moving to The Mailbox will be funded from the BBC’s existing property budget. We’ve costed in great detail the options of refurbishing and staying at Pebble Mill or moving to The Mailbox. Over a 25 year timeframe, it makes business sense to relocate, and moving means we’ll be on the high street, welcoming and accessible to licence fee payers.”
BBC Birmingham’s move to The Mailbox is the latest in a series of property announcements to be made by the Corporation this year.
Part of the BBC’s new approach to their buildings right across the UK, the BBC say that the aim is to ensure more money is made available for programme-making by creating contemporary, open, flexible and cost efficient working environments which stimulate and attract talent, and which are welcoming to visitors.
BECTU have strongly condemned the move. Claiming that there will be an almost £2 million-a-year rent increase for The Mailbox premises, and that the move will mean that more than £3 million worth of recently installed widescreen digital studio equipment will be left behind at Pebble Mill.
(CD)