Introducing ‘The Workshop’ the South West’s new journalism hub – based in Plymouth

Released: 24.09.19

Plymouth Marjon University’s brand-new broadcasting facility, housed inside the famous BBC Villa in Seymour Road, has been officially opened by David Fursdon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

The studios, which have been the home of the BBC in the city for over 60 years, will be brought to life by journalism students from Plymouth Marjon University.

The Workshop, as it will now be known, houses top-of-the-range technology and broadcast capabilities, which will allow students to broadcast live radio, TV and on online output, as well as providing them with a world-class base to practise their media production skills.

The Workshop is now home to state-of-the-art equipment which meets, and exceeds the standards of the media industry that the students will be hoping to break into when they graduate. Budding journalists from Marjon will get hands-on experience working with the latest TV and radio studio equipment, and will be working alongside experienced journalists from BBC Broadcasting House next door as they do it.

Mark Grinnell, the editor of BBC Spotlight said: “It’s fantastic that the next generation of journalists will have this amazing resource in the city, so close to where news broadcasting in the South West first began.”

Mike Baker, programme lead for Journalism at Marjon said: “This is such a fantastic opportunity for our students, now and in the future, to really help bridge that gap between dreaming of a career in journalism in all its forms, and actually having one.

“We at Marjon have a long history of enabling students to reach their potential, regardless of their background, and a facility such as this, in Devon, will go a long way to helping them overcome the obstacles which can make the media industry seem like a distant dream.

“Our Journalism programmes have long been producing accomplished, confident journalists – the unique opportunities on offer at The Workshop will give those lucky enough to come here from now on even more of an advantage for when they graduate.”

Professor Rob Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth Marjon University, spoke about how The Workshop will benefit Marjon students, and what the facility will bring to the city.

“Our new studios and training opportunities within the BBC campus are an outstanding example of working in partnership to create international-quality learning and professional opportunities for students from all backgrounds. The BBC could not have been more helpful in developing these magnificent facilities which are sure to excite students from across our city, the South West and beyond.”

There will be more exciting announcements about the ongoing relationship between Marjon and the BBC at The Workshop to follow.

Plymouth Marjon University offers degrees in BA (Hons) Journalism, BA (Hons) Journalism (Sport Journalism) and BA (Hons) Journalism with Photography. Prospective applicants are encouraged to register for an upcoming open day at Marjon.