Discover The Custard Factory in Birmingham — a vibrant hub of street art, indie shops, and creative studios in the city’s famous Digbeth district.

From Bird’s Custard to Creative Quarter

The Custard Factory’s story is closely connected with Alfred Bird, the Birmingham chemist who developed his famous egg-free custard powder in the 19th century.

The factory complex in Digbeth was established for Alfred Bird & Sons as production expanded, with the famous Custard Factory complex dating from the early 20th century. Production continued in Digbeth for decades before eventually moving elsewhere during the 1960s.

In the 1990s, regeneration began transforming the former industrial buildings into spaces for creative businesses. The first phase of the restored Custard Factory opened in 1993.

The Custard Factory is now known for:

Independent shops
Creative studios
Street art
Restaurants and cafés
Cinema and entertainment
Events and festivals
Historic industrial architecture
Digital, media, and creative businesses

The original Crittall windows, exposed steelwork, high ceilings, and industrial details remain an important part of the complex’s character.

Exploring the Custard Factory

1. Independent Shops

Independent businesses are central to the Custard Factory experience.

Rather than conventional high-street shopping, visitors can discover smaller retailers, creative businesses, specialist stores, and unusual concepts scattered around the complex.

The mixture of businesses changes over time, which means repeat visits can reveal something different.

Moreover, the surrounding streets of Digbeth contain even more independent venues within a short walk.

2. Street Art

Street art has become one of Digbeth’s defining features.

Murals cover walls, railway arches, former warehouses, shutters, and side streets surrounding the Custard Factory.

Some are enormous commissioned works, while others are smaller pieces tucked into unexpected corners.

Therefore, simply walking around Gibb Street, Floodgate Street, and the surrounding neighbourhood can feel like exploring an outdoor art gallery.

3. The Courtyard

The central courtyard provides one of the Custard Factory’s main gathering spaces.

Historic industrial buildings surround an open pedestrian area containing places to eat, drink, and socialise.

Original factory architecture sits alongside contemporary signs, artwork, and modern businesses, creating the distinctive old-meets-new appearance for which Digbeth has become known.

It’s also one of the most photogenic parts of the complex.

4. Cinema and Entertainment

The Custard Factory isn’t simply a shopping destination.

Its leisure and entertainment businesses have included cinema, gaming, social activities, bars, and event spaces, making it possible to spend several hours here without leaving the complex. Current visitor information lists businesses including The Mockingbird Cinema, NQ64, Golf Fang, and Chance & Counters among the attractions associated with the site.

Individual opening times vary, so it’s worth checking a particular venue before travelling.

Food and Drink

Food has become a major part of the modern Custard Factory and wider Digbeth experience.

Visitors can find independent restaurants, cafés, bars, and casual dining alongside the area’s entertainment venues.

A major recent addition is Alfred Works, which opened at the Custard Factory in February 2026. The 17,500-square-foot food hall brings together 15 independent kitchens alongside an outdoor courtyard, social gaming areas, family spaces, and events.

That makes the area particularly easy to combine with lunch, dinner, or an evening out.

Industrial Architecture

Much of the Custard Factory’s appeal comes from the buildings themselves.

Large factory windows, brickwork, steel structures, former workshops, and industrial spaces provide reminders of Birmingham’s manufacturing past.

Instead of demolishing the complex, regeneration has reused these buildings for contemporary businesses and cultural activities.

As a result, the Custard Factory provides an excellent example of how Birmingham’s industrial architecture has been adapted for modern life.

Exploring Digbeth

The Custard Factory sits within Digbeth, Birmingham’s former industrial heartland and now its best-known creative quarter.

The surrounding streets contain:

Victorian warehouses
Railway arches
Street art
Independent bars
Music venues
Creative studios
Historic pubs
Restaurants and cafés

Digbeth is less than a ten-minute walk from Bullring & Grand Central, making it easy to combine with Birmingham’s main city-centre attractions.

Events and Creative Culture

The Custard Factory regularly provides space for creative and cultural activity.

Its programme and surrounding venues have hosted:

Fairs
Festivals
Exhibitions
Gigs
Markets
Private events
Creative industry events

The complex is also home to studios, media agencies, technology companies, makers, and other creative businesses.

This mixture of workspaces and visitor attractions helps give the Custard Factory an atmosphere quite different from a conventional shopping or entertainment complex.

Visiting the Custard Factory

How to Get There
Location: Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA
Train: Birmingham Moor Street is within easy walking distance
Mainline Train: Birmingham New Street is also accessible on foot
Bus: Numerous services operate around Digbeth and Birmingham city centre
Walk: The Custard Factory is a short walk from Bullring & Grand Central
Car: Public parking is available around Digbeth

Opening Hours & Admission
The wider complex is free to explore
Individual businesses and attractions set their own opening hours
Some entertainment venues and events require tickets
Reception operates Monday–Friday, 8:30am–6pm according to current visitor information.

Facilities
Independent shops
Cafés and restaurants
Bars
Cinema
Entertainment venues
Event spaces
Creative workspaces
Accessible facilities

The Custard Factory’s workspace facilities are listed as fully DDA accessible, although accessibility can vary between individual businesses and venues.

Visit the official Digbeth website for current Custard Factory businesses, events, workspaces, and visitor information.

Nearby Attractions

Digbeth — Birmingham’s creative district filled with street art, independent venues, historic buildings, and nightlife
Bullring & Grand Central — Major city-centre shopping and dining destination
Birmingham Cathedral — Historic cathedral in the heart of the city
Birmingham Back to Backs — National Trust attraction preserving Birmingham’s historic courtyard housing
Cadbury World – Popular chocolate-themed attraction exploring Cadbury’s history, chocolate-making, and interactive family experiences.

Together, these attractions make the Custard Factory an excellent starting point for exploring Birmingham’s industrial heritage and contemporary creative culture.

Why Visit the Custard Factory?

The Custard Factory experience offers:

Colourful street art and creative culture
Independent shops, food, and entertainment
Atmospheric historic factory architecture
An excellent introduction to Birmingham’s Digbeth district

Whether you’re interested in photography, independent shopping, food, street art, industrial heritage, or Birmingham’s nightlife, the Custard Factory offers one of the city’s most distinctive urban experiences.

It’s not just a converted factory — it’s a piece of Birmingham’s industrial heritage reinvented as a creative neighbourhood, where historic architecture, independent businesses, street art, food, and entertainment come together.