How Film Tourism Is Poised to Deliver a Massive Windfall to Birmingham

2026-11-09 economy

Birmingham, Monday, 9 November 2026.
A new economic report reveals screen tourism driven by the global hit series could inject up to £97 million into Birmingham’s local hospitality, retail, and regional infrastructure.

Economic Impact Report Findings

A newly published regional economic impact report highlights the growing value of screen tourism, estimating that film and television productions led by the franchise ‘Peaky Blinders’ could bring up to £97 million to the West Midlands economy [1]. The study details how international audience exposure is actively reshaping travel patterns and boosting local business revenues across hospitality, retail, and municipal infrastructure in Birmingham. This economic windfall demonstrates a tangible return on regional creative arts investments, with the potential to create jobs and stimulate further growth in the cultural sector [GPT].

Mechanisms of Tourism Growth

The report outlines specific mechanisms through which ‘Peaky Blinders’ tourism generates economic benefits. Visitor spending on accommodations, dining, and local attractions directly supports Birmingham’s hospitality sector. Retail businesses benefit from increased foot traffic as tourists purchase branded merchandise and souvenirs [1]. Municipal infrastructure improvements, including transportation and public spaces, are funded by higher tax revenues generated from tourism activity. According to the study, the £97 million estimate represents a conservative projection of these combined effects [alert! ‘The report does not specify the timeframe for this projection’].

Broader Implications for Screen Tourism

The ‘Peaky Blinders’ phenomenon exemplifies a broader trend in screen tourism, where popular media content drives international visitation to filming locations. Birmingham’s experience aligns with similar cases in other UK regions, such as the Harry Potter franchise’s impact on Scotland’s tourism economy [GPT]. The report suggests that strategic investment in creative industries can yield significant economic returns, particularly when combined with targeted marketing campaigns and infrastructure development [1].

Regional Economic Development Strategy

Local stakeholders are already leveraging this momentum to develop long-term economic strategies. The West Midlands Combined Authority has identified screen tourism as a key priority within its broader economic development plan, aiming to diversify the regional economy beyond traditional industries [2]. Initiatives such as the Health Tech and Life Sciences Innovator Summit discussed in September 2026 highlight the region’s commitment to innovation adoption and economic growth [3]. These efforts complement screen tourism by fostering an ecosystem that supports creative industries and related sectors.

Sources

screen tourism regional development