A new exhibition celebrating the remarkable transformation of Digbeth into one of the UK’s most distinctive creative quarters will open to the public on Friday 20 November.

A Celebration of Digbeth: The Making of Birmingham’s Creative Quarter will explore the area's rich industrial heritage, its regeneration through the Custard Factory and Zellig, and the artists, entrepreneurs, businesses and communities that have shaped its creative identity.

Running until 20 December 2026, the exhibition will bring together historic photographs, stories, personal reflections and archive material to document Digbeth’s evolution from an industrial heartland into a thriving centre for culture, creativity and independent enterprise.

At the heart of the exhibition is the story of Zellig & the Custard Factory, the former home of Alfred Bird’s famous custard business, and the ambitious vision that helped transform its historic buildings into a creative destination.

The exhibition will examine the pioneering role of developer Bennie Gray in the regeneration of the area, alongside the architects, artists and creative businesses whose work helped establish Digbeth’s reputation as Birmingham’s creative quarter.

Visitors will be taken on a journey through Digbeth’s history, exploring its industrial beginnings, the redevelopment of the Custard Factory, the emergence of its creative community during the 1990s and 2000s, and the lasting cultural influence of the area today.

The exhibition has been curated by Prof. Carl Chinn MBE, Lisa Meyer, Matt Watkins, Shannon Davies and Alexander Powell.