The Richard Spooner Column: Bully for the BBC�

Apologies to the reader for my absence in recent weeks. The flood of one email tells me you have missed me.

I wish I could tell you that reason for my temporary disappearing act was because I was luxuriating in a Caribbean idyll sipping ice-cold Red Stripes and picking at jerk-grilled lobster.

The reason is much more mundane and I won 't bore you with the details.

Anyway, you may have noticed that we 've being hosting the Commonwealth Games here in Birmingham and the West Midlands - and what a spectacle it has been.

Attendance at live events has been huge accompanied by an unforgettable buzz around the city hosting a sporting occasion that truly confirmed the Commonwealth Games as being the Friendly Games.

But for those who couldn 't make any of the events or even drop into Birmingham to take in the atmosphere, the BBC 's coverage has been superb. And as a global advertisement for the city and region the exposure is worth millions.

The expertise and enthusiasm of the BBC, from presenters through to reporters, technicians and backroom staff was second to none as they broadcast 200 hours of live sport throughout the Games. And the vision of Centenary Square at night will remain with me for a long time.

So it is fitting that the BBC has unveiled its plans to move its main Birmingham base to the new creative quarter in Digbeth from 2026.

Currently based at The Mailbox, BBC Midlands will relocate to a new purpose-built broadcast centre at the former Typhoo Factory site in the city.

The decision has been taken as part of the BBC 's Across the UK strategy to transform its impact in the Midlands. The new centre - which the broadcaster says will cost less to run than The Mailbox site - will also support delivery of the corporation 's net zero commitments.

As the anchor tenant, the BBC will be a catalyst for the wider creative regeneration of the Digbeth creative quarter, helping to attract additional investment and production to the Midlands.

All of the teams currently based at The Mailbox, including Newsbeat and the Asian Network (who relocate to the city later this year) will move to the centre.

Digbeth Loc Studios, the future home of the BBC 's flagship food programme MasterChef, will be near the BBC 's new home.

An Apprentice Hub opened last month helping more people to work in the sector; and Newsbeat and the Asian Network move to the city in the autumn. More programmes have been commissioned in the region including Two Tone from the creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight and Phoenix Rise for BBC Children 's.

And when all the excitement settles as the Games close next week, the memories will linger long. And let 's make the giant mechanical bull which was the star of the opening ceremony a permanent feature.

The city has every reason to be bullish�

JL