Digbeth (Tea Factory) - FIT OUT

The requirement is summarised below:

The BBC are looking to appoint a contractor to carry out fit-out works at their new home at The Tea Factory in Digbeth. The BBC’s current home to its 650 staff is The Mailbox. Staff are expected to move from The Mailbox to The Tea Factory in 2027.

Stoford (with BAM) started redeveloping The Tea Factory from a derelict building to a Shell and Core office1 in January 2024. They are making good progress and expect to complete their works in late December 2025.

1 As part of the Shell and Core, Stoford and BAM are also building the walls and lids to the Technical Rooms (i.e., Studios, Edit Suites, etc).

The fit-out works are expected start on site date in early January 2026 and be completed by no later than the end of September 2026.

The fit-out is over four floors (Ground, 1, 2 and 3) with a plant area on the roof. The scope of fit-out works includes:

• Finishes (including acoustics) to the Technical Rooms:

o 8x Radio Studios.

o 10x Edit Suites.

o 1x TV Studio.

o 1x TV Studio Gallery.

o 1x Lecture Theatre.

o 4x Apparatus Rooms.

• Construction of Radio Drama Studio and Control Room including a ‘Dead Room’.

• Construction of six meeting rooms with structural lids.

• All M&E to the floor plates and all rooms / spaces.

• Raised access floor.

• Acoustic finishes.

• Wall and floor finishes.

• FF&E (excluding technical rooms).

Design of the works has been progressed to RIBA Stage 4 by BBC Workplace with support from the following consultants:

• J4 Projects Project Managers

• MGAC Cost Consultant

• AWW Architects

• IDSR Interior Designers

• CMB MEP Design

• Arup Structural Engineer

• Ion Acoustics Acousticians

The works will be procured under the JCT 2024 D&B Contract.

The BBC does not intend to novate the designers to the contractor; however, it may be acceptable for the contractor to directly appoint the designers if they (a) deem it to be beneficial for the project and (b) can demonstrate that any associated risks (e.g., conflicts of interest) can be mitigated.