Blend Family eyes 2026 Birmingham opening
The foodhall operator is welcoming expressions of interest as it looks to launch Alfred Works at Digbeth’s Custard Factory in spring next year.
Set to open next year, the 17,500 sq ft Alfred Works will feature fifteen kitchens, with the venture following the firm’s launch of Tower Bridge Collective in London in October.
Alfred Works’ arrival has been trailed across recent months, and according to reports will also come with a 10,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor space
Blend Family’s portfolio of food halls now includes Cutlery Works and Cambridge Street Collective in its home city Sheffield, Kargo MKT in Salford Quays, and Tower Bridge Collective.
The Custard Factory has been a regeneration success story. Credit: Blend Family
Cambridge Street Collective opened in spring 2024 as part of the Heart of the City development led by Sheffield City Council and development manager Queensberry, as Blend established itself as an important player in a sector that has been blossoming throughout the UK.
Society Birmingham opened in a 9,000 sq ft space at One Colmore Row in September, while Saint Paul’s Market has launched in the Jewellery Quarter.
The one-time Bird’s factory, the Custard Factory has long been regarded as an exemplar of Birmingham’s regeneration story, flourishing over the last quarter century as a hub for independent businesses.
Blend Family said that it is now “actively seeking independent Food Partners who bring authenticity, ambition, and a distinct culinary point of view,” adding that “this is an invitation to build on something enduring, a space where food, culture, and community converge”.
