BBC Studioworks opened its doors at the end of October to host RTS London Centre for a hot-ticket tour of its facilities.

Three studios, that BBC aficionados would know as TC1, TC2 and TC3, offer large and mid-sized studio spaces available to hire. Reception is to the side of the building reflecting the smaller studio footprint, rather than the grand original reception of yesteryear, which now hosts the glamorous hotel and apartments within the main building.

Walking into Studio 1 felt exactly as it had a few years ago, (after all, the walls are in the same place) with a shiny floor show in rehearsal. Studios 2 and 3 are on long-term hire to ITV with fast-turnaround shows in every day. Shows filmed at the studios include ITV’s This Morning and BBC One’s The Graham Norton Show.

Most of the technical equipment and infrastructure has been updated with lighting now nearly all LED. The relevant segment of the inner ring road is still very much used for getting scenery in and out of the studios though, these days, noise annoying the neighbours has also to be a consideration.

The history of the building’s original design and the Television Centre remembered by many is reflected in some of the decor around reception, the red assembly areas and some of the corridors. It’s good to see it busy and very much open for business again.

BBC Studioworks is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC. The White City studios have been open for business since August 2017.