The BBC’s Broadcasting House could soon further restrict public access

Somehow, every Brit has the image of BBC Broadcasting House’s front entrance etched into their brain. The Beeb’s HQ is a landmark of British TV and hosts all sorts of influential and powerful individuals. But in recent years it has also been at the centre of several protests. 

Now the BBC has submitted a bid to Westminster Council to close its receptions and Media Café to the public. In its application it cites security concerns and says that its headquarters ‘has been a focus for protest and criminal damage most recently in 2022 and 2023’. 

Broadcasting House first became accessible to the public in 2003 when it was given planning permission on the condition that the general population had access to specified areas. Entry was limited again in 2017 over terror threats and the BBC has submitted now submitted a request to keep it that way.  

There have been 119 protests outside of the building over the last five years. The BBC worries that reopening parts of its interior to anyone could make it more vulnerable to security risks.  

It said: ‘Whilst protest is not terrorism, the potential impact that disruptive protest has on the BBC ability to broadcast must be taken into consideration.

‘Whilst Broadcasting House has already been subject to a number of targeted protests, these have been largely contained to the exterior of the building or the immediate reception area and as such have had limited/no impact on the ability to broadcast.’

A BBC spokesperson added: ‘We wouldn’t comment on security matters, but the BBC remains committed to public access and engagement to London Broadcasting House, and this application is simply seeking confirmation of what has already been in place since 2017.’

Broadcasting house will still host school tours and members of the public would still be able to attend ticketed performances and events in the BBC Radio Theatre, from which they can access the Media Cafe. 

A decision over whether the condition over public access should be permanently removed will be made in a town hall next week. 

Love TV? 

We’ve got guides to London filming locations you can actually visit, including spots from ‘You season 4’, ‘Slow Horses’, ‘Back to Black’. For even more, check out these London filming locations picked by an actual location scout and our round up of the best shows of 2024 so far. 

Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.