Two week countdown to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Birmingham's
move to The Mailbox
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Birmingham's new home at The Mailbox has been officially handed
over to its owners with staff immediately seizing the day.
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Since 1 June ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ WM and Midlands Today
teams have been training in the state-of-the art £45m broadcasting
facility in preparation for the first transmissions to come out of a
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Birmingham city-centre base in more than 30 years.
Wednesday 23 June is the date set for the first staff to move permanently
with English Regions Controller Andy Griffee leading his English
Regions Headquarters team in alongside producers and talent from
the regional programme Inside Out.
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Human resources, online, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ WM and the Asian Network
follow in a roll out programme to move more than 600 staff before Pebble
Mill closes its doors in late autumn 2004.
First broadcasts from the hi-tech digital studios are expected in early
July but are dependent on the new technologies and systems fully bedding
in.
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IT and broadcast technology experts are currently on
site working to ensure the successful transition of a broadcasting operation
hugely complex in size and scale.
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Until all the systems are thoroughly tested, contingency
studios will remain at Pebble Mill.
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Radio 4's The Archers,
the world's longest running soap, is moving at the end of July and is
expected to make its first recording at The Mailbox mid-October.
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It again marks a return to the city centre where it
first broadcast from Broad Street on 1 January 1951.
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Midlands Today is expected to go on air on 25 October,
following a rigorous four month intensive training programme beginning
today to familiarise the news team with their sophisticated new television
kit.
As the move progresses, greater daily accessibility to the public will
open up.
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The Public Space packed with exhibitions, a
shop and a café has already hosted more than 51,000 visitors
since it opened last year but now promises more opportunities for people
to get closer to and see the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ at work.
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This is central to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s ambition to put audiences,
the licence fee payer, at the heart of the organisation.
English Regions Controller Andy Griffee said: "This represents
a new and exciting dimension for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ as the world's most famous
public service broadcaster.
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"Our heritage and global brand are wonderful strengths
but they can also make us appear intimidating and aloof.
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"At Pebble Mill it wasn't possible but very soon
I look forward to seeing listeners and viewers join us in The Mailbox
to see their programmes being made.
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"Our new digital studios and offices have been
designed to be accessible and inviting to audiences while offering staff
a really creative working environment."
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Ranjit Sondhi, the Governor of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ with special
responsibility for the English Regions, added: "The Mailbox represents
a major investment on behalf of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ to Birmingham.
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"It is one of the most technologically advanced
broadcasting centres in Europe.
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"Moving back into the city means we will be much
more closely integrated with the community and that means playing an
even more important role in the economic and cultural life of Birmingham
and the West Midlands."
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Notes to Editors
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The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ will occupy more than 100,000 sq ft on the
first and second floors of The Mailbox, a 25 acre mixed development
site in Royal Mail Street, near Birmingham New Street Station.
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The development also houses hotels, shops, restaurants
and bars in a canal-side location, with a public walkway running through
it.
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The move to The Mailbox will be funded from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s
existing property budget.
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It is one in a series of property announcements outlining
a new approach to its buildings policy across the UK – an approach
which ensures more money for programme making by creating contemporary,
open, flexible and cost efficient environments which stimulate and attract
talent and are more welcoming to visitors.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Birmingham produces award-winning programmes for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Network Television
and Radio.
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It is the first choice in the region for news, information
and entertainment.
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Made famous by The Archers it is home of the worldÂ’s
longest running soap.
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Network production supplies ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO and the
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ digital channels as well as output for Radios 2, 4 and Five Live.
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Output for Midlands audiences includes Midlands Today,
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ WM and the Politics Show.
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