We are thrilled to announce the purchase of 120 – 122 Great Barr Street in Digbeth Birmingham for our future, permanent home!
BOM has bought this prominently located freehold property outright, which is situated next to Digbeth Loc Studios. The building purchase ensures BOM’s long-term presence in the city and positions BOM at the heart of Digbeth’s thriving creative industries.
With extensive renovations planned, we will sensitively restore this original Victorian seed mill, which sits directly on the Grand Union Canal towpath. One of the last remaining pieces of Victorian architecture in Digbeth, the refurbishment will bring the building up to date and fully accessible as a future-facing hub for immersive production and creative digital skills.
The building purchase marks a significant point in our expansion, 11 years since BOM’s inception. The move will enable us as an organisation to scale up our impact through impactful learning programmes reaching underserved young people and adults, supplying a diverse talent pipeline for the region’s creative industries.
Situated in Digbeth, BOM’s new home places it alongside artist run spaces like Grand Union Studios, who recently acquired Junction Works as their new permanent home on Fazeley Street, and future content hubs such as BBC and Digbeth Loc Studios.
We’re very excited about our future and works are expected to complete in time for BOM’s relocation to Digbeth in late 2027.
Karen Newman, BOM’s Founder and CEO said:
“Securing the Great Barr Street building is a landmark moment for BOM, enabling us to put down roots and make a firm commitment to growing the region’s talent so we can fully grasp the huge opportunities with immersive technology coming down the track. We’re passionate about placemaking and culture-led regeneration, and this move allows us to contribute to Digbeth’s evolving creative industries and create a world class destination”
Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, Managing Director at Birmingham City Council said:
“I’m delighted that the council have been able to support BOM in finding a permanent home on Great Barr Street. We have provided significant investment in Digbeth through programmes such as the Enterprise Zone and the Community Infrastructure Levy – with the aim of providing much-needed high-quality jobs, homes and opportunities for our growing city. This new building will be a key anchor at a major gateway in Digbeth, delivering vital digital skills training to fuel the region’s creative industries. As a leading immersive arts organisation recognised nationally and internationally, BOM’s activities will provide animation and purpose to the surrounding area; it builds upon Digbeth’s continued emergence as a buzzing creative quarter.”
The purchase was made possible with financial support from Birmingham City Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Fund, and UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund. We’re so grateful for this investment as well as in-kind support from Trowers and Hamlins LLP, MGAC, Gensler and Webb Yates during the feasibility.
We’ll be sharing more as we progress with the building, so keep up to date with everything BOM by signing up to our newsletter and following us on socials!
Image credits: Artist’s impression by Bob Ghosh from BG Projects and Photography by Angela Grabowska.
