Greater Birmingham - Thread

[Brum X]

I'm not sure where to post this.

A couple of days ago, I watched a YouTube video by an American (and student) ItJps. He has been visiting Germany and the UK (last summer he also visited the UK). All the cities that he visited, he was very enthusiastic about. Until that is he visited Birmingham. Did he experience the wonderful multi-culture of the city? Did he examine the excellent architecture? The array of museums and art galleries? The diverse and exciting range of restaurants in Birmingham ? No, he went to a very run down industrial area in Digbeth and portrayed that as 'Birmingham' (even though you could see the city skyline in the background). To say I was livid is an understatement.
I was going to post a link to the video, but it appears to have been removed from his channel (rightly so!). I can only believe he was put up to this, probably by someone who has never been to Brum. Everyone that I know who's has spent some time in the city has fallen in love with it. Even so, I don't think I'll be watching any more of his videos.



Birmingham -

You move me, you move me
With your buildings and your eyes
Autumn woods and winter skies
You move me, you move me
Open parks and city lights
Busy streets and dizzy heights
You call me, you call me.....

(adapted from 'The Analogue Kid' by Rush.

Never mind about this blogger Kevin, some good news for Birmingham today and should help the cities profile massively ?

Tourism bodies VisitBritain and VisitEngland to open new Birmingham hub

Pair will launch a presence in the city next year in order to grow relationships with regional partners and stakeholders

www.business-live.co.uk

https://twitter.com/x/status/1681643331179143173

 

[Ianbutty]

I agree do not bother withbthe blogger. Plenty of videos out there that have a go at every city in the UK at some time.

Great news about the tourism boost.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Dropped number one sprog off at the Jewellery Quarter yesterday so had chance for a quick wander.

I have to say that Octagon is absolute quality, it looks like it's going to be something pretty special. I hope that the redevelopments of the car park and student halls across the road have restaurant space at ground level. Even though it's a busy junction there is potential for this area to be a decent destination.

The new paving in Victoria Square looks very nice. I'm not sure of the entire plan but I'd love to see the whole of New Street done and a push for more eateries with some outside pavement seating on the top section. It could make a lovely boulevard to enjoy some food or a coffee on a nice day.

It's good to see the Great Charles Street development well underway, there are a couple of lovely old buildings on the other side of the road which are hopefully ripe for development, apartments with restaurants/cafes at street level would be great and link up nicely with St Paul's Square. I'd hate for them to just be dead frontages at street level. Something has to be done about the awful bridge across the Queensway though.

Despite the awful weather it was good to see a decent turnout for the Colmore CBD Food Festival and big respect to the MC on stage at the JQ Festival who wasn't letting the driving rain dampen his spirits

The Jewellery Quarter really is a lovely place and it was great to see it so busy, still lots more opportunities though so hopefully the developments will continue.

I did notice a crane on Summer Hill Road, a quick look on SSC tells me it's JQ Rise, nothing spectacular but it's good to see the city core expanding

 

[Coathanger16]

I'm not sure of the entire plan but I'd love to see the whole of New Street done

The plan was for New Street to be done as well at some point, but with the recent payouts that BCC are now having to do over the pay disputes, we may see them pull back on "non-essential" spending.

 

[Brum X]

Dropped number one sprog off at the Jewellery Quarter yesterday so had chance for a quick wander.

I have to say that Octagon is absolute quality, it looks like it's going to be something pretty special. I hope that the redevelopments of the car park and student halls across the road have restaurant space at ground level. Even though it's a busy junction there is potential for this area to be a decent destination.

The new paving in Victoria Square looks very nice. I'm not sure of the entire plan but I'd love to see the whole of New Street done and a push for more eateries with some outside pavement seating on the top section. It could make a lovely boulevard to enjoy some food or a coffee on a nice day.

It's good to see the Great Charles Street development well underway, there are a couple of lovely old buildings on the other side of the road which are hopefully ripe for development, apartments with restaurants/cafes at street level would be great and link up nicely with St Paul's Square. I'd hate for them to just be dead frontages at street level. Something has to be done about the awful bridge across the Queensway though.

Despite the awful weather it was good to see a decent turnout for the Colmore CBD Food Festival and big respect to the MC on stage at the JQ Festival who wasn't letting the driving rain dampen his spirits

The Jewellery Quarter really is a lovely place and it was great to see it so busy, still lots more opportunities though so hopefully the developments will continue.

I did notice a crane on Summer Hill Road, a quick look on SSC tells me it's JQ Rise, nothing spectacular but it's good to see the city core expanding

Just a moment and lets see if i can find a pic of JQ rise in my directory, oh yes I do, loooooooooooooooooooool

 

[Kevin Farnell]

The Crooked House pub gutted by fire
Deeply saddened to learn of this, an iconic West Midlands (actually Staffordshire) attraction.

I wonder if it's too far gone to rebuild?

 

[rollo]

The Crooked House pub gutted by fire
Deeply saddened to learn of this, an iconic West Midlands (actually Staffordshire) attraction.

I wonder if it's too far gone to rebuild?

I'm afraid it's been demolished the fire brigade declared the building unsafe another piece of local history gone.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Looks like the Council are not too happy about the demolition -

Demolition of Crooked House pub unacceptable - council

There is anger after the pub, once known as "Britain's wonkiest", was demolished days after a fire.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Ianbutty]

It is so sad but I would hate to speculate on who did this although the bull dozer should be easy to find and probably did not get too far away.

Planning permission is required to demolish a pub.

From government planning guidance:

Do I need to apply for planning permission to demolish a pub?​

An application for planning permission is required for the demolition of any pub, wine-bar or other drinking establishment, including those with an expanded food offer.

Paragraph: 117 Reference ID: 13-117-20180222

Revision date: 18 09 2020


Planning permission is also required to demolish an unsafe building: from the Planning Portal

Unsafe/uninhabitable buildings – An application for full planning permission is required to demolish any building that has been rendered unsafe or otherwise uninhabitable, by the action or inaction of any person having an interest in the land on which the building stands, where it is practicable to secure safety or health by works of repair or works for affording temporary support.


Hoping the Council takes full action, and I cannot see the owner winning on appeal.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Such a shame that it couldn't have been relocated into the Black Country Living Museum, it would have been ideal

 

[Brum X]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

https://twitter.com/x/status/1693342116166987830

 

[Ianbutty]

After how many years? 70? Fantastic and the vacant blot will be no more and replaced by a smart new development. Finally.

 

[Brum X]

After how many years? 70? Fantastic and the vacant blot will be no more and replaced by a smart new development. Finally.

Hip Hip Hooray

 

[Brum X]

Planes beware, Birmingham's very own Burj Khalifa is rising above the skyline ;-)

 

[Ianbutty]

Great stuff, as always, Brum X. The Octagon webcam does not do it justice. Great to see these towers going up with good pace.

I found this the other day...

Plans revealed for 64-storey Gun Quarter scheme | TheBusinessDesk.com

Site where pens, chains and bicycles were all produced could be completely transformed

www.thebusinessdesk.com

Not sure if we had mentioned it on here. Still at pre-app by the looks of things, but if it does go ahead, at 64 storeys it will most likely be our first 700 footer!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Nice positive article about Birmingham and the future, well worth a read

UK spotlight: Birmingham

The UK’s second biggest city has strong global connections and a keen eye on the future

www.businesstraveller.com

 

[Ianbutty]

Nice positive article about Birmingham and the future, well worth a read

UK spotlight: Birmingham

The UK’s second biggest city has strong global connections and a keen eye on the future

www.businesstraveller.com

It is positive. Including the now corny comparison to Venice! Very old hat, but one we like to laugh at.

 

[Brum X]

And straight after a positive article, our council once again lets us down.

We are BANKRUPT ;-(

A very sad day for the City of Birmingham which will have severe consequences for decades to come.

 

[Ianbutty]

And straight after a positive article, our council once again lets us down.

We are BANKRUPT ;-(

A very sad day for the City of Birmingham which will have severe consequences for decades to come.

This has been decades in the making. Very sad day for local government - furious faces galore. I will leave it at that, as local government is what I work in.

But read beyond the headlines: it means no new spending. It is not bankrupt. It just cannot balance the books so the section 151 officer has no choice but to served a 114 notice. An improvement plan will be put in place.

The city will remain great and prosper. Just needs a Joseph Chamberlain figure.

 

[Coathanger16]

But read beyond the headlines: it means no new spending. It is not bankrupt. It just cannot balance the books so the section 151 officer has no choice but to served a 114 notice. An improvement plan will be put in place.

Indeed. It seems having the Commonwealth Games, the Equal Pay Dispute and the Oracle IT blunder all within the space of 12 months has likely tipped the council over the edge.

I wonder how many assets the council could sell off and what impact it would have on the balance sheet.