QUARTER OCTOBER 2013 ISSUE 15
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Night life & Entertainment
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Arts & Culture
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News & Reviews
1 NEWS 2 WHAT’S ON/ NEWS 3 REVIEW 4 THE OLD CROWN 5 VISIT 6 CARILLON BELLS 7 DO CADBURY 8 DO CADBURY 9 INFO 10 PUB REVIEW 11 DO HISTORY 12 GRAND HOTEL 15 GO OUT 16 THE CANAL 17 EAT OUT 19 PURNELLS 20 SHOP 21 SHOP OUT 22 VISIT 23 BM&AG 24 VISIT 25 BOTANICAL GARDENS 26 02 ACADEMY
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EDITORS NOTES We have had a very exciting month here at quarters from traveling all over Birmingham to going to several festivals and now we are bracing ourselves to the very exciting months ahead to say the least. Over the last month we have had the opening of the new library, the bullring turning 10, the Harvey Nichols fashion show and the Birmingham award ceremony, and that’s not including any nights out! We have covered all of these amazing events and Keep looking out for our reviews and articles on them, In the last issue we spoke to you about various parts of Birmingham and different personalities of the city itself such as comediennes, actors and sportsman, we also looked at the best places to go shopping such as the new John Lewis which will be opening soon Debenhams and Selfridges. In this issue we have looked at places to go in Birmingham such as restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs we have had a fantastic time looking at these and reviewing them for you as well as looking for some hidden gems around the city. I hope you ENJOY our issue and enjoy the month
Leah Buckman Illustrator & team member Matt Lanning Photographer & team member Edita Jakubiek Illustrator & team member
Hayley Harrison Graphic Designer & Team member Kieran Durrant Photographer & team member
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NEWS
FROM THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
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SECTION
BULLRING TURNS 10 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR Ten years ago this year the shopping centre we call the bullring opened as we all cast our eyes on that great disk architecture we call Selfridges, it opened with a bang with 2 superstores being debenhams and selfridges having an opening party and now 10 years on the same party is happening again. The shopping centre attracts around 38 million people to the city every year – that’s worth £1.6 billion to the local economy. And in the last decade 400 million people have visited Bullring – helping to turn Birmingham into one of the top 3 shopping destinations in the country.
NEW STREET STATION PLAN COMING ALONG Everything has changed at New Street as we’ve reached the half way point of the project. We’ve now opened the first half of your new station. The first half of the station has all of the facilities you expect, plus new lifts and escalators to every platform to improve access.
HHHO CHARITY BIKE RIDE AND MARATHON Ready to get your running shoes on???
Help Harry Help Others are chuffed to bits to announce we have been chosen as a Gold Charity NEW BIRMINGHAM BAND Partner for the 2013 Great BirmingNEW KILLER SHOES ham run. The music is a fusion of 90’s Grunge, This is your chance to get out there, Pop, Punk & Indie Rock with a dash get fit, get sponsored and help make of Ska added to make a provocative a huge difference to the lives of cocktail for today’s discerning music those families going through their lovers. cancer journey. With your help we Birmingham, UK SOUND LOUNGE can continue Harry’s legacy, help 21 Festival - Town Hall & Symphony find a cure for cancer, and help inHall Cafe Bar spire the next generation of school FREE ENTRY! children to “do good”!!! Birmingham, UK Headline show at the O2 Academy
CLOTHES SHOW LIVE 2014 The countdown to the UK’s largest MILLENNIUM POINT, and most talked about fashion & EASTSIDE FINISHED... FIbeauty event of the year is on! NALLY Join us for a five day fashion festival. Eastside is home to the largest Packed with top fashion and beauty physical regeneration project in brands, hair and beauty demonBirmingham. It is transforming, revistrations, non-stop catwalk shows, talising and regenerating a previously makeovers, experts, trend reports, neglected area of the city centre celebrities and next generation through multi-billion pound investtalent. ment by a wide range of organisaTaking place just ahead of the festive tions and businesses. The think tank season, it’s the perfect place to start and BCU new eastside campus tops ticking off your Christmas shopping off this amazing regeneration of one list; find the perfect party outfit. of the duller parts of Birmingham.
NEW LIBRARY INVITES EVERYONE IN The £189m Library of Birmingham, which houses a collection of one million books, has opened. The library has more than 200 public access computers, theatres, an exhibition gallery and music rooms. Opening Hours Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 4pm Wolfson Centre for Archival Research (Level 4) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 4pm
PALLASADES RENOVATION The redeveloped Pallasades Shopping Centre will be completely transformed and will be re-branded as Grand Central Birmingham when it opens in Autumn 2014, anchored by John Lewis’ full line department store as well as premium fashion and quality high street brands to the heart of the city.
BIRMINGHAM FACT The city saw the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution James Watt, Matthew Boulton, William Murdoch, Josiah Wedgwood, Joseph Priestley and Erasmus Darwin form the Lunar Society
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THE OLD CROWN 188 High St, Birmingham, West Midlands B12 0LD
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till sitting at 188 High St in Birmingham, since circa 1368 this old timber pub is the oldest you will find in this city and what a pub it is. This pub is oozing with character and history. It is the oldest pub in Birmingham and the decor and remarkable chilled atmosphere tells a tale. First up on our test was of course the beer as what is a pub without beer, there was a wide range of beers, spirits and ales for cheap prices and it was nice to see traditional Birmingham brewers being sold such as a local brewed beer Ansells.
Next our food arrived and it was brought out with great hospitality and was a good value for a fantastic meal. I would urge anyone visiting Brum to go this old pub for both the heritage and good food & Drink. Around Half a mile from the bullring and next door to the custard factory, right in the heart of the Irish quarter the old crown offers a unique and welcoming experience to guests and regulars alike. Come and enjoy some of there exciting events that add to a unique atmosphere at the old crown.
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CARILLON BELLS THE CARILLON BELLS ARE ONE OF THE ONLY SET LEFT, AND THEY ARE ONLY HANGING IN BOURNVILLE
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he Bournville Carillon was erected in a semi-rural Location in 1906, before the onslaught of urban development and the building of the busy main road by which it now stands adjacent. Bournville, however, remains an idyllic leafy suburb of Birmingham and the sound of the Carillon drifting across the gardens of Bournville on a perfect summer’s day is truly wonderful. The Carillon ranks as one of the finest and largest in Great Britain, having 48 bells hung below a domed copper cupola above the tower of the junior and
infant school on Bournville Village Green. It is owned and administered by the Bournville Village Trust, which was established in 1900 by George Cadbury.
Right in the middle of the village green is the rest house or carillon centre a piece of brilliant arts and craft architecture built to commemorate and celebrate the silver anniversary of one George Cadbury and his wife, the visitor centre is host to lots of information about the carillon and the surrounding areas of bournville and its history as well a nice little gift. The carillon bells, show in the below image, ranks as one of the finest and largest in Great Britain, having 48 bells hung below a domed copper cupola above a tower of the junior school and you can hear these bells every Saturday twice a day at 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm and can be heard all over Bournville.
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he Shops remain at the heart of the Bournville. Designed by Bedford Tylor and built between 1905 and 1908, they show the influence of timber-framed buildings, like Selly Manor, on the design of the village. When the shops were first opened they contained a pharmacy, butchers, bakers, Post Office and a grocery store. Modern day versions of these are still there.
As I travelled round I went into many quaint little shops which I was made to feel welcome in these real historic village stores and brought some nice clothes from the clothing store in the shenley green centre and got a fantastically priced haircut at the ladies & gents hairdressers on sycamore road of which I would recommend to people. I am a bit of a chocolate and sweet lover and where better
to go than the British home of chocolate and as I had I toured round cadbury world I came to there misshapes shop, which for you that don’t know it is where all there chocolate that isn’t the right shape goes to be sold off quickly and cheaply and I would tell any sweet lover to go but as well as the factory there is an independent sweet shop still around that brings back memories of your childhood.
NG TO EAT, O Sycamore Road, Bournville Green provides Lloyd’s Bank, jewellers and tearoom, clothes shop, butchers, bread & cake shop, toy & flower shop, chemist, convenience store and ladies & gents hairdressers and doctors surgery. Shenley Green Centre offers a convenience store, chemist, ladies & gents hairdressers, butcher, clothes and haberdashery, as well as a doctors surgery, community police base and garage with MOT bay.
Mary Vale Road provides a Christian book shop, organic grocers and cafĂŠ, hairdressing and interior design and curtain shop. Swarthmore Road / Hornbeam Close provides a post office, newsagent and hairdressers. Green Meadow Road provides a convenience store. Heath Road offers a post office and newsagent, hairdressers and delicatessen.
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REDEVELOPMENT
CURZON STREET
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The Woodman MODERN IN A HISTORIC ESTABLISHMENT
T As the “eastside” redevelopment continues and nears a finish with the think tank and the Birmingham city university city Centre campus as well as the listed building, curzon street train station, we take a look at not only the very near future but also the history of curzon street and the buildings that are on it, as well as visiting the pubs and other popular interests along the way.
he Woodman is a Grade II listed building which was built in 1897 for Ansell’s Brewery. It was designed by renowned Birmingham architects James and Lister Lea in ornate brick and terracotta. Both the Bar and Smoke Room are tiled throughout in Minton tiles and the bar counter and back fitting are pretty much intact. The pub stands opposite the very grand Curzon Street Station which was the original station as the railway line from London reached Birmingham. Whilst the immediate area has been a virtual wasteland for some years both the station and the Woodman have survived. The area has now seen a renaissance as the first stage of Eastside Park has opened, surrounding the pub in handsome granite paving and avenues of trees.
The Woodman has been very down at heel for some years, has had several periods of closure and a number of question marks over its very survival. But this pub is a true survivor. The future of this fine establishment now seems assured with its takeover by Birmingham Inns and Linford Developing Heritage. The original features of the pub have been restored whilst up to date toilet and kitchen facilities have been added.
OPENING HOURS Sun- Thurs 11-23 Fri 11-24 Sat 11-24
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THE GRAND
RESTORING THE OLD CLASSICS The Grand Hotel is a Grade II* listed Victorian hotel in the city centre of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. The hotel occupies the greater part of a block bounded by Colmore Row, Church Street, Barwick Street and Livery Street and overlooks St Philip’s Cathedral and churchyard. Designed by architect Thomson Plevins construction began in 1875 and the hotel opened in 1879. Extensions and extensive interior renovations were undertaken by prominent Birmingham architecture firm Martin & Chamberlain from 1890 to 1895. Interior renovations included the building of the Grosvenor Room which boasts rich and impressive Louis XIV style decoration. The hotel closed in 2002 and due to the risk of crumbling stonework it has been under scaffolding and protective covers since. In 2012 planning permission was granted for plans to restore the building into a luxury 152-bedroom hotel. Works began in October 2012 with the target of reopening in 2014.
The hotel opened on 1 February 1879, with 100 rooms and a further 60 unfinished at the time of Opening. The hotel’s heyday was in the early 20th century, when it played host to royalty, politicians and film stars as well as staging many dinners, concerts and dances in the Grosvenor Suites. King George VI, Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain, Charlie Chaplin and Joe Louis attended functions or stayed in the hotel at this time. As I went to look at this marvellous hotel I happened to be sitting in the churchyard opposite when an elderly women started telling me about when she stopped there as a child and told me about when she was running down the corridor and ran straight into James Cagney who happened to be stopping there, she said it was the greatest moment of her life, she was also reminiscing about the soft beds and the great big rooms but she said her favourite was the buffet breakfast which she had never seen anything like it. I wish I only had the chance to stop there in its heyday
HOTEL
Visit Birmingham Today www.quaters.co.uk/Birmingham
MORE CANALS THAN VENICE. REALLY!
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Worcester to the Gas Street Basin The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a canal linking Birmingham and Worcester in England. It starts in Worcester, from the River Severn and ending at the Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham. It is 29 miles long. There are 58 locks in total on the canal, including the 30 Tardebigge Locks, one of the largest lock flights in Europe. The canal climbs significantly along the way. Travelling in a canal barge, hired from a specialist boating company me and my friends travelled all the way from the river Severn canal opening to the gas street basin there were plenty of beautiful views
and stunning modern developments like the Cube and restored industrial heritage buildings that we enjoyed during a peaceful boat journey into Birmingham. As we approached the city centre of Birmingham we were feeling a little peckish and there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants to stop at along the canal, into the gas street basin and along to Broad street, where we stopped at one of the oldest pubs in brum, the Tap and Spile which is situated right alongside the canal and it was a lovely meal. Next up was the clubs along broad street, just a little walk from our mooring, which are cheap to park at, which
we had a great time at. Once we had finished partying we had a quiet peaceful night at the moorings. The that we went on was great and will tell other interested that it is well worth it.
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EATIN 55 Cornwall St Birmingham, West Midlands B3 2DH, United Kingdom +44 121 212 9799
“Purnells” an award winning, Michelin star restaurant owned by none other than TV chef competition winner and now Michelin star chef Glynn Purnell. Purnell’s Bistro is an exquisite cocktail bar and bistro restaurant in the heart of Birmingham’s thriving business district and shopping area and offers some of the finest
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NG OUT In Birmingham food and cocktails. Ginger’s Bar embraces the relaxed vibes of Manhattan. Inspired by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, the decor and ambience is an acknowledgement to the glamour and style experienced in the 1930s era.
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Like Shopping? You’ll Love It Here!
From Chain stores and flagship stores to Independent shops and markets, Brum is one the shopping havens of Britain’s
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As the economic downfall Continues you would imagine business profits to be falling, but seeing the retail footprint of over 4 billion I think not. The city not only remains in the top three most popular places to shop in the UK for the eighth year running but has also narrowed the gap between it and second place Glasgow and with so many shops to choose from, where better to go! The Bullring. Not much need be said apart from it being one of the most historic, busiest and the epicentre of shopping in Birmingham, and that’s why forever 21, an unknown American brand before coming UK, chose the bullring to start its dominance, why working class hero designer clothing label Luke 1977 returned to its Birmingham roots with their flagship store, and why it was here Debenhams reopened in the city after more than 20 Years. Here among the 160 plus stores you’ll also find Vero Moda, Mango, Kurt Geiger and true religion alongside other such familiar names as FCUK, Gap, Zara, New look, H&M and other famous brands. If the Bullring dominates the city centre, so
selfridges dominates the bullring. A £60 million iconic landmark of architectural design with 15,000 spun aluminium discs inspired by a Paco Rabanne chainmail dress. They will, however, be facing major competition in 2014 when work on the multimillion pound redevelopment of New Street station is completed Bringing a John Lewis. Head out from the centre onto the roads and one of brums’ most famous, Corporation Street, which homes all manners of stores such as the oasis market home to
over 100 independent retailers, While taking pride is House of Fraser, known to us Brummies as Rackhams formally the grand dame of shopping for those with the deep pockets but has been re designed for the 21st century customer, from beauty, clothing and home.
SELFRIDGES AT BULLRING BIRMINGHAM
CORPORATION STREET
BIRMINGHAM’S BULLRING MARKET
BM&AG
BIRMINGHAM MUSEU Staffordshire Hoard Location: Birmingham Museum 15th July 2012 - 31st December 2014 From Mordor to the Misty Mountains, Photography Location: Sarehole Mill 1st April 2013 - 3rd November 2013
There are over 500,000 objects in the collections, dating from 200,000 years ago to the present, and originating from each of the continents. Birmingham Museums is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art, as well as extensive collections of fine and applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography. The collections have been Designated as outstanding by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and have local, regional, national and international importance.
HISTORY MUSEUM Immerse yourself in over 500 years of life, passion, strife and achievement. In the iconic new ‘Birmingham, its people, its history’ galleries visitors can explore the city’s global heritage from medieval times and the industrial revolution, through to the World Wars - to the technology-led life of the 21st century.
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UM AND ART GALLERY
Q Giving you the best of Brum
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QUARTER MAGAZINE Every Week 4 Times a Month
The Botanical Ga The Birmingham Botanical Gardens, situated in the heart of the country in Edgbaston, is a 15 acre botanical garden and close to the centre of Birmingham and are open nearly every day of the year except Christmas day and boxing day, which is understandable. The Gardens are really old, opened in 1832, and were designed by a J.C. Loudon, a leading garden planner. Within the park there are plants, trees and flowers and are home to the British bonsai collection, one of the oldest specimens being the Omiya tree at 250 years old, there are also a range of exotic birds from around the world,
most of the birds are located in the in the white domed lawn aviary building.
“I Loved the botanical gardens, and I loved the plant exhibition as well as the shopping.� Paula Jane Garden Expert
I enjoyed the visit to the botanical gardens and especially liked viewing the birds and the bonsai trees, and would recommend it to everyone and anyone and best of its cheap
The Gardens are open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 10.00 am. Closing Times 5.00 pm/ 7.00 pm The Gift Shop will close 15 minutes before The Gardens. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Please note when evening concerts or theatre productions are being held, the Gardens will close one hour before the performance, please check before visiting.
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ardens