Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has told MPs that Birmingham is on its way to becoming a 'world class' TV and film hub after 'ten years of struggle'. Giving evidence to the BBC royal charter review inquiry, Knight described how his vision for Digbeth to sit at the heart of a citywide production, creative and filming integrated set-up is rapidly taking shape. He called for the Government to offer West Midlands-specific tax breaks to overseas film makers to attract them to the region.
Frustration Led to Studio Creation
Knight told the culture select committee that the genesis of his Digbeth Loc Studios in Montague Street emerged from his frustration that early series of Peaky Blinders were being shot in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, rather than his native Birmingham. 'That was fine, because they have fantastic locations and great infrastructure, but I just felt that we should be shooting it in Birmingham,' said Knight. He added: 'I naively thought it would be quite simple to set up a studio in Birmingham. Well, 10 years later, we are pretty much there. It has been a struggle.'
Training and Jobs for Local People
Knight described how he intended the studios to provide training and jobs for local people. 'That is not necessarily because we are such nice people or altruistic, but because if you are making something, it makes sense to use the local workforce,' he said. He also described his desire to make the studios a 'world class' location. 'It is not going to be a place that makes programmes only about the West Midlands. We want it to be internationally known. We want it to be world class. We want it to be bringing in sci-fi, American productions, big productions and small productions.'
Transformation of Derelict Warehouses
Knight described how the studios emerged out of a derelict, unloved space in the heart of Digbeth. 'When I first went there, it was 20 acres of derelict, beautiful canal architecture warehouses. As they were built by the Victorians, they were not falling down; they were just standing there...great big spaces with a roof. It is usually a leaky roof, so the roof has to be mended, but it is a big space with a roof, usually with a lot of flat concrete around it. No one wants that except us—film and TV makers. That is exactly what we want.' He spoke lovingly of the transformation of the Banana warehouse, next to where the Grand Union Canal begins. 'It used to be where they kept bananas for the canal traffic. It is within sight of the Rotunda, so it is walkable to the city centre, surrounded by 10th-generation blackberry bushes. It had been left, basically, even though it was so lovely.'
MasterChef and Peaky Blinders Productions
Knight recounted how the 'MasterChef' team were hosted at the studios. 'Without telling them, I got Glynn Purnell (local Birmingham Michelin-starred chef) to put white tablecloths on tables, and we scraped open this door, walked over the barbed wire, walked in, and it was like a restaurant. They saw the potential, and that is now where MasterChef is. They produce 65 hours of television a year from that space.' He added: 'Across the canal, we made the Peaky Blinders movie (The Immortal Man), which was hugely successful across the globe. We are currently making the new Peaky Blinders series. Next door, we have Silent Witness in production.'
BBC Backing Was Critical
Knight said that the involvement of the BBC had been 'critical' - first through its backing for Peaky Blinders and then the making of This Town. 'The fact that we could have those three letters on the gate, and that it had that provenance as a BBC show, encouraged people to believe that this development was long term and sustainable, that it was not a private company coming in, doing something and leaving again.' The BBC has since created its regional headquarters nearby, in the former Tea Factory. 'Anyone looking at a brand new studio in a city that does not have a reputation for making stuff sees that the BBC is investing in it. Suddenly, that becomes a game changer.'
Associated Industries Emerge
He said there were multiple associated industries that have also emerged in the area to support the studio. 'If you set up production in a place, naturally you will attract post-production. You will get catering, security, drivers and all kinds of related industries. You will get props, hair and make-up, and all the things that come with production.' He noted the sector requires a wide range of skills: 'You need carpenters, electricians, drivers and all kinds of people, not just tech people, writers and actors. Once you start making something—that is the crucial thing, making something, not necessarily discussing the making of something—and it becomes real, suddenly those empty warehouses and workshops become valuable.'
Call for Regional Tax Breaks
Knight praised the backing of regional mayor Richard Parker and his devolved powers which mean 'we can have local incentives'. The mayor and West Midlands Combined Authority say to potential film-makers: 'We want you to be here. If you want us to close a road (temporarily), we'll close a road' and so on. Knight is now pressing for a regional 'uplift' - a tax break of 21.5%, say, specific to the West Midlands - to encourage companies to head here. 'That would help because the West Midlands has not benefited at all from national Government help, in the way that other regions have. This would be a way to do that...trust me, a producer in Los Angeles who sees 20%...then 21.5% is going to go for the higher one.'
Capitalising on Peaky Blinders Success
Knight also pressed the case for more to be done to capitalise on the global success of Peaky Blinders. 'I know people (fans of the show) come to Birmingham and are looking for stuff...we can certainly do more with that. When people think about the UK...beyond the news stories...they are probably thinking about a Jane Austen show, about the music they listen to, or about Peaky, maybe. Their view of what the UK is often comes from stuff that is consumed on screens around the world. I think the fact that we are so good at it means we should do more.'
BBC Investment in West Midlands
Asked if the BBC sufficiently invested in the West Midlands, given how much local licence payers contribute to it, he said it was 'creeping up' but should be 'supercharged'. Latest figures show the West Midlands contributes £942 million a year in licence fee revenue but spending locally is low - around £80 million a year.
