After 32 years and countless hours of broadcasting, BBC Pebble Mill in Birmingham is to close, ending an era of programming that will never be forgotten.

The closure marks the end of production at the famous Birmingham site for over thirty years.The BBC will be moving its radio and television operations to the Mailbox in the city centre by the end of 2004.

Pebble Mill

BBC Resources Chief Executive Margaret Salmon said: "While programme production from Pebble Mill is healthy, the majority of the output does not require expensive studio facilities."

"As most of Pebble Mill's production was location based, the use of the studios has halved in three years to around one third of their capacity. The closures would not affect local and regional programmes or news or radio production."

Advantage West Midlands has taken over the lease of the nine-acre BBC's site. Pebble Mill, which opened in 1971, is expected to be converted into a business park.

Andy Griffee, Controller of English Regions

Andy Griffee, Controller of English Regions said:
"When we hand over the keys to Pebble Mill at the end of 2004 we will be wishing Advantage West Midlands every future success with a building which will always have a special place in the history of broadcasting."

Plans for the future...

The planning application submitted to Birmingham City Council includes, new tennis courts, sports fields, cycle-ways, a pavilion and road improvements surrounding 36,500m² of high-tech research, development and office space.

Advantage West Midlands Chief Executive John Edwards said: "This is an exciting step for this development and gives business and the Birmingham community the first glimpse of our plans for the future of Pebble Mill."

Good Morning with Anne Diamond and Nick Owen

Pebble Mill has staged several BBC shows, most famously the Pebble Mill at One lunchtime chat show, which ran from 1973 to 1986.

The studios have also produced a host of popular programmes including the popular TV dramas Dalziel and Pascoe and Dangerfield, as well as the long-running radio soap The Archers and the recent daytime soap opera Doctors starring Christopher Timothy.

The BBC's answer to This Morning with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, Good Morning with Anne and Nick, also came from the Birmingham studios.

The Mailbox

The move to the city centre reinforces the BBC’s commitment to national, regional and local programme-making in the West Midlands and will ensure that BBC Birmingham is best placed to meet the changing demands of broadcasting and technology in the future.

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