The announcement that popular BBC television series MasterChef is relocating to Birmingham has been hailed as a boost for long-standing plans to regenerate the Digbeth area of the city.
Paul Kitson, Strategic Director for Place, Prosperity and Sustainability at Birmingham City Council, said the move complemented work already being undertaken via the council’s Our Future City Plan.
Paul said: “Digbeth is a fantastic part of our great city, boldly showcasing everything great about our past, present and future – it really is one of the leading creative quarters, not just in the UK, but internationally.
“Everyone in the city and wider West Midlands is keen to see institutions like the BBC expand their footprint locally, to ensure their output is truly representative of the communities they serve.
“We have the skills, the talent and are developing the infrastructure to enable this to happen – and the MasterChef relocation is an endorsement of everything that partners in the city are doing.
“To enable this announcement, there has been a spirit of co-operation and a genuine shared purpose from partners including the likes of the WMCA and Homes England. We look forward to continuing this close working to make this project and other initiatives a big success for the city, as there is a growing confidence there will be plenty more to come.”
Home to five Michelin-starred restaurants, a bustling street food scene, the renowned Balti Triangle and a host of well-regarded independents, the city’s food sector is playing an increasingly important role in Birmingham’s economy.
Paul added: “Although we have the creative and culinary talent here that makes the MasterChef move a perfect partnership for Birmingham and the BBC, there is much we can gain in the future.
“We want to use projects like this to develop home-grown talent and skills, so the relocation of this show actually becomes a real investment by the BBC in this city.
“There will also be positives for the supply chain, and this will open doors for local innovation and entrepreneurism. We are all looking forward to seeing how this partnership unfolds.”
