Hit BBC MasterChef show’s new Digbeth studio approved by Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council’s planning department has approved exciting plans for an old Digbeth building to be turned into a state of the art studio for BBC MasterChef. 

The vacant Banana Warehouse – a grade II listed building – situated in Fazeley Street in the Digbeth area of the city will be transformed into a new home for the popular BBC cooking show.

The production company behind the show – Shine TV – will take control of the former Banana Warehouse and produce the BBC show in Birmingham rather than London which has been the home of the hugely popular show since 2001.

The Fazeley Street building, which rests near the Digbeth Branch of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, will be repurposed and after construction works have been completed the location will boast a studio, sound stage, preparation and dressing rooms for presenters and contestants, and an outdoor area for filming exterior scenes.

Birmingham City Council stated that the new development in Digbeth met with no resistance from local residents and the planning permission was approved by local councillors and MPs.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said he was “excited” by the redevelopment of the area and hopes the new building projects will encourage more investment from businesses.