Client: BBC

Overview
For the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the BBC sought to position its TV and radio studios in the heart of Birmingham to capture the atmosphere of the city and enhance public engagement. Centenary Square, a major civic space regularly used for temporary events, was selected to host a dual-purpose, two-storey structure — combining broadcast facilities on the upper floor with the official Games Megastore on the ground floor.

Challenges

• Tight planning and construction timeline ahead of the Games.

• Unknown load-bearing capacity of Centenary Square requiring detailed engineering reports.

• Noise control in a high-traffic city centre location.

• Coordination between multiple stakeholders and city authorities.

RED’s Role
RED was appointed to secure planning permission and coordinate all stakeholders. Working with the BBC, Cube Management, and Birmingham City Council, RED’s role included:

• Developing a compliant planning strategy under strict deadlines.

• Commissioning and managing engineering assessments to confirm site load capacity.

• Addressing noise and logistical considerations.

• Liaising directly with the Head of Planning to fast-track approval.

Outcome
Planning consent was secured within a record four weeks of submission, enabling construction and installation to proceed without delay. The studios and megastore were completed on time, providing a central broadcast hub and retail presence that enhanced the Games’ visibility and accessibility.

Key Achievements

• Planning approved within four weeks.

• Successful delivery of a dual-purpose, city-centre structure.

• Engineering and planning challenges resolved collaboratively.

• BBC’s high-profile presence established in the heart of Birmingham.