The Stage

Alexandra Palace to be redeveloped as broadcasting site

Published Tuesday 7 September 2004 at 11:50 by Joanna Taylor

Alexandra Palace is to undergo an extensive redevelopment plan to turn it into a media site for both the broadcast industry and the public.

Under the proposed scheme the building in north London will be developed to offer education and training programmes for aspiring TV workers and on the same site provide facilities for young, growing companies in the industry.

The idea is the result of a feasibility study commissioned by the Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust and the BBC’s heritage department.

A consultation period will now begin to identify potential investors. The BBC will also work with the trust and broadcast training council Skillset to encourage the rest of the industry to get involved with the plan.

Skillset chief executive Dinah Caine commented: “The vision of a new Alexandra Palace is an opportunity where the BBC, Skillset and other key stakeholders can tackle the issues of how to support the broadcast sector to constantly renew and update a wide range of higher level craft skills.”

The Palace’s connection with the BBC dates back to 1935 when engineers from the Corporation leased part of the site to trial the EMI-Marconi and Logie Baird television sets.

Mark Thompson, BBC director general, said: “It would be fitting nearly 70 years on, if we could help bring the industry behind another big idea that underlines the continuing role of the British media as a standard-setter for broadcasters everywhere.”