'Try us' - Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight backs new West Midlands TV production offices

Production Central WM will look to support film, TV and digital content and ensure more productions are created in this region and will aim to connect industry professionals to locations, facilities and talent in the West Midlands.

It has been funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and will be delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC).

The new office, based in Birmingham, will serve the whole region and be managed at WMGC by Martin Simms, who has more than two decades of experience in the film and TV sector.

Mr Knight said: “The West Midlands is old, new, green field, brown field, urban, rural, posh, poor, 16th century to 21st century, high rise, high end, low end, back to backs, chimney stacks and babbling brooks…most of which have never been shot.

“And it costs less than most other places.   If you want to shoot here, we now have a brand new, super-fit for purpose film production office which matches the region’s ambitions.

“It’s called Production Central WM and whatever location you want we can find it within an hour’s drive of New Street station. Try us.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “From Shakespeare to Steven Knight, great storytelling starts in the West Midlands.

“The new Production Central office will build on the region’s celebrated legacy of world-class writing and creativity by becoming the natural home for inspiring, original content.

“We are excited to be leading a new era of film production in the West Midlands and look forward to providing the tools for both home-grown talent and major international companies to thrive in our unique region, taking their vision from concept to screen.”

And the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker added: “We have the talent, the locations and a list of credits that ranges from classics like Crossroads to the cultural phenomenon that is Peaky Blinders.

“And there is much more to come with the rebirth of children’s favourite Bagpuss and a new beginning for MasterChef.

“Our dedicated production office will attract film-makers and TV executives from all over the world by making it even easier to get their cameras rolling.

“We’re creating the opportunities aspiring writers, directors, actors, and crews need so they don’t have to leave home to chase their dreams and can build amazing creative careers right here in the West Midlands.”

It is anticipated the new film production office will increase regional GVA by £100-200 million over the next five years, and provide a boost to employment of 100-200 jobs per production and 1,000-2,000 long-term posts.

The launch of Production Central WM follows the announcement by the BBC that it has signed a second memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Create Central to further support creative growth in the region.

The region has also been awarded £25 million as part of the Government’s Creative Places Growth Fund to help grow the creative industries.