INSIDE: 200 RADIOS NOW IN USE BY CITY SAFE NETWORK | POPPY DISPLAYS ADD COLOUR EDIT AUTUMN/WINTER 2019 PAGE 1
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PAWSOME! BID BRINGS POPULAR PAW PATROL TRAIL TO CITY CENTRE FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS
PAGE 2 EDIT AUTUMN/WINTER 2019 EDIT magazine is brought to you by
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Retail Birmingham is the Business Improvement District (BID) for Birmingham city centre’s retail area and has been supporting its members since 2007, promoting, enhancing and developing the shopping and leisure experience in the city centre. While the retail environment is forever changing with the challenge of shopping online, the Retail BID firmly believes in supporting the shopping experience delivered by retailers in the city centre, maintaining Birmingham’s position as the regional capital for shopping.
RETAIL BID MANAGER Steve Hewlett steve.hewlett@retailbirmingham.co.uk DEPUTY BID MANAGER Assia Sohaib assia.sohaib@retailbirmingham.co.uk BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICERS Paul Barnett, Peter Ash, Chris Anderson support@retailbirmingham.co.uk
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BUSINESS LIAISON OFFICER Chris Poole chris.poole@retailbirmingham.co.uk BUSINESS PATROL OFFICERS Wayne McLoughlin, Bryan Edwards support@retailbirmingham.co.uk Office: Level 4, Upper Mall West, Bullring, Birmingham B5 4BU Call 0121 643 3896 Visit www.retailbirmingham.co.uk www.shoppinginbirmingham.com Twitter @ShoppinginBham @retailbid Facebook ShoppingInBirmingham Instagram ShoppinginBham
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VIEWS FROM THE RETAIL BID BOARD
THE RETAIL BID IN NUMBERS
‘I am thrilled to see the amazing things we are doing to make it a place people want to visit’
BRICKLIVE PAW PATROL DISPLAYS
21 200 READ MORE: PAGES 4 & 5
Welcome to the latest edition of Edit magazine. As we approach the big day, I am thrilled to see the amazing things we are doing in the city to make it a place people want to visit and enjoy. I am sure you have all seen the incredible Paw Patrol characters that have popped up throughout the retail area of the city; I know our younger visitors are certainly enjoying their appearance! I have been incredibly touched by the sheer presence felt throughout the city in support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. You can read
more about the activities that took place in this edition. As Chair of Retail BID and GM of Selfridges, the safety and the protection of our visitors is at the forefront of my mind and our fantastic City Safe team are pivotal to this. Their relationship with our retailers and the Police is so crucial, particularly to those retailers who don’t have their own security teams. The work they do is also covered in this edition. Finally, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas; we hope it is joyous and prosperous. Sam Watts, Chair, Retail BID
‘This Christmas is shaping up to be full of wonder for younger visitors and adults too’ Being a retail district the best time of year is now upon us as shops across the city centre gear up for the festive season with Christmas offers, decorations and even the odd TV advert to look out for! This year is shaping up to be full of wonder for our younger visitors and full of attraction for adults too. We are delighted to welcome Paw Patrol to the city this Christmas in the form of a family trail. Visitors young and old will be invited to ‘Help the Paw Patrol pups to save Christmas’ in a trail featuring 21 figures across 18 sites starting in High Street and taking in Great Western Arcade, Piccadilly
Arcade as well as Bullring & Grand Central before finishing in the Mailbox. There really is something for everyone in the city this Christmas with the Frankfurt Market joined by the Big Wheel and Ice Rink back in Centenary Square for the first time since 2016. Polar Express also departs from Moor Street and our theatres launch their Christmas programmes too... it’s time for a good old Christmas panto! Whatever your interest this year I hope you enjoy the city retail offer and the many many events that will complement your visit. I’ll see you around the city! Lisa Williams, Deputy Chair, Retail BID
CITY SAFE RADIOS BEING USED ACROSS THE BID READ MORE: PAGE 6
3,000 POPPIES PLANTED ACROSS CITY CENTRE READ MORE: PAGES 7 & 8
£25m
COUNCIL INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC REALM ACROSS CITY CENTRE READ MORE: PAGE 13
2.2m
DARTS THROWN AT FLIGHT CLUB SINCE ITS SUMMER LAUNCH READ MORE: PAGE 18
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SNOWDOME FUN AT SELFRIDGES
Paw Patrol is on a roll!
Selfridges Birmingham is gearing up for the most exciting season of the year with a host of fun activities and events for families. The store has a life-size Fantasy Snowdome snow globe that will provide the festive fun and family photos to send to everyone. Tickets are complimentary and can be booked here: https://www.selfridges.com/ GB/en/features/events/christmas-in-store-at-selfridges-birmingham/ Fantasy Snowdome 12–4pm, December 5 to 15 and December 21 to Christmas
CITY SOCIAL BACK FOR CHRISTMAS City Social returns for Christmas 2019. The Suffolk Street underpass connecting The Mailbox to the city centre will once again be transformed into a festive market - with Christmas gifts, food and live music. City Social will host independent stalls selling crafts, gifts and food and drink treats. City Social Thursday, November 28 to Saturday, December 21, Suffolk Street underpass
Retail BID has invested in festive pots and planting across the city centre for the Christmas period. Bespoke, branded pots have been placed at the New Street entrance of Piccadilly Arcade, complementing the new Christmas festive bows installed by Hortons’ Estate. Festive planting has also been placed along Corporation Street, alongside new planting in the National Barrier Asset planters.
Toy brick trail to attract Christmas shoppers to all areas of the Retail BID No job too big, no pup too small! PAW Patrol fans are able to meet their favourite characters this Christmas after Retail BID Birmingham brought the amazing PAW Patrol toy brick trail to the city centre. The stunning spectacle, featuring 21 characters and buildings from the hit Nick Jr. show, has been built by BRICKLIVE from brightly coloured toy bricks and placed around the city centre retail district until January 3, 2020. Are you all ears? Characters Chase, Marshall, Skye and the gang are in locations such as Selfridges, John Lewis, The Mailbox, M&S, Primark, Great Western Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade, among many other places. The pups range in size from 75cm to 120cm high. Model builders have been busy preparing the pups and the mighty models were unveiled on Wednesday, November 6. Families can pick up a trail map to take part in a ‘Pups Save Christmas’ mission to be in with a chance of winning £250 worth of shopping vouchers by answering 18 questions about the plucky characters. The trail also features a 2-metretall Lookout Tower using over 65,000 bricks; and a selfie-zone of Marshall’s Fire Truck using 141,000 bricks. Sam Watts, Chair of Retail BID Birmingham, said: “The Retail BID PAW Patrol BRICKLIVE trail is an opportunity for city centre visitors to come together and enjoy these amazing models. From little ones to big kids, we will have something for all fans of toy bricks and PAW Patrol. “We hope families take advantage of this
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Everest in Boots, High Street
Sam Watts checks the trail map with the help of Marshall in Selfridges
Mayor Humdinger in Soho Coffee Co, Bullring
Tracker in the Mailbox
free event and explore the city centre’s stores and arcades as they visit each PAW Patrol model on the trail. The quiz and trail competitions will keep the whole family busy and with this event being free for all, we hope to ignite imaginations across Birmingham.” People can keep up with the latest Paw Patrol Trail news by following Shopping in Birmingham across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and by following the hashtag #PAWPATROLBHAM. More details of the event are listed on www.shoppinginbirmingham.com
Paul Horton with Kitten Rocky in Great Western Arcade
FESTIVE CAMPAIGN Retail BID is once again driving footfall to the city centre through a Christmas Campaign. The BID is updating the ‘plus’ campaign from last year with new imagery of the city centre Christmas offer. This will be a digital campaign targeting audiences from across the region and from further afield encouraging them to visit the city over the festive period.
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City Safe reaches 200 radios milestone
Retail crime-fighting radio scheme proving popular with its subscribers The new City Safe crime-fighting network set up by Retail BID to tackle store theft and anti-social behaviour in Birmingham city centre has recovered over £100,000-worth of stolen goods in its first year. City Safe was launched in response to Retail BID Birmingham members who were becoming concerned about business crime and the impact of anti-social behaviour on staff and shopper safety. The scheme uses a new digital radio network, instant text messages and access to CCTV imagery using data-compliant software managed in a central control room. Over 200 City Safe radios are now being used in the city centre retail and leisure area, Southside and Colmore Business Districts. Data on the SentrySIS (Sentry Secure Intelligence System) system dating back to February 1st, 2019, reports £106,881 of goods recovered, with 978 incidents resolved. This means that the detained person has either been banned from a store, or had some form of police involvement. The system now has more than 640 live profiles of persons that have been apprehended and dealt with. The SentrySIS software has capacity for recording and delivering information instantaneously and securely, allowing all members to report incidents online directly to City Safe. The project is being led by Retail BID in partnership with West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and retail centre security staff. City Safe is a member of the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships (NABCP) and is being managed by Retail BID board co-optee Jonathan Cheetham. Email citysafe@retailbirmingham.co.uk to find out how to join City Safe.
The City Safe team: Jonathan Cheetham, Bryan Edwards, Chris Anderson and Chris Poole
Scheme receives national accreditation Since inception, City Safe has worked towards BCRP National accreditation Standards following established business crime reduction principles and guided by the National Association of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships. City Safe’s accreditation was confirmed at the end of October and the organisation has now been granted recognition as a partnership that is ‘Secured by Design’ (SBD). Established by the Association of Chief Police Officers, Secured by Design is a group of national projects focused on crime prevention through innovative security design and operation. Secured By Design works as an external body alongside the security industry and certification houses as a measurable standard for quality products and crime prevention projects whose methods, operations and standards have the full approval of the Police Service. City Safe is delighted to have achieved this standard of accreditation as an additional assurance for its partners and members.
TESTIMONIALS I would like to take the opportunity before moving roles to reach out to you and compliment the work of two of your team. HUGO Bullring only enrolled in the scheme a little under six months ago. With the location near to the exit of Bullring and having such a desirable brand, things has proven very challenging in terms of theft. The radio is a great tool and it’s very cost effective. However, it also helps when the lads on the other end of the radio are clued up and have a big passion to assist. Chris and Brian have helped the store countless times over the period and the success of joining has been fed back to higher management at HUGO BOSS. It gives me great delight to be moving role knowing that I have no outstanding offenders or jobs as they have all been identified, reported and dealt with. There aren’t many times that Chris does not know who an offender is, or what appropriate action is required next. They are a credit to the scheme! Many Thanks. David Volante, Store Manager, HUGO BOSS Bullring Just a quick email for feedback since we have received and been using the City Safe security radio. Firstly, it was so nice to have a thorough explanation of how and when to use by Chris and the team. I have noticed an increase in confidence levels in our staff and management team when dealing with incidents in store as we know we have the immediate backing of the officers from the radio. As an almost all female management team it is great to have the guards respond so quick to any call we put out but predominately the abuse/threatening behaviour. The presence in store I feel really has made a difference to a lot of the petty thefts we were having. In terms of the repeat offenders it has been fantastic for recovering stock. Only last week we had an £80 and £240 recovery from the security team following our radio calls for direction of travel of these individuals. Thanks and kind regards. Ashleigh, Assistant Store Manager Urban Outfitters, Corporation Street
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MEET THE BUSINESS SUPPORT TEAM
Wayne McLoughlin
PETE ASH
What do you enjoy most about your job? Helping the retailers in the area who work hard to make their businesses work. What are three interesting facts about you? I served for 25 years as a police officer. I was British and Scottish champion in Tae Kwon Do, reaching a Black Belt 1st Dan. I managed a junior football team and won the division and the League Cup in the first season.
Chris Anderson Pete Ash
What’s your claim to fame? Tony Blair signed my daughter’s 8th birthday card while visiting officers in Steelhouse Lane.
PAUL BARNETT
What do you enjoy most about your job? Helping people of all walks of life across the city centre. What are three interesting facts about you? I’m an avid Lego fan and collector. I was an altar boy for 11 years. I’ve been a barman, teaching assistant, DJ, door to door gasman, call centre trainer and I’m a mean baker! What’s your claim to fame? I’ve been walking the streets of Birmingham for a decade and a half… surely that makes me famous!
BRYAN EDWARDS
What do you enjoy most about your job? Each day is different, you can be walking on patrol and members of the public stop and thank us for making them feel safe, even though we are not police officers they still feel the need to say thank you.
Bryan Edwards
What are three interesting facts about you? I have met the Queen and Prince Philip when I was invited to the grand opening of the Hive in Worcester. I’m a gamer and love dealing with stress this way. I’m an avid Liverpool fan and have been travelling to Anfield since I was six. What’s your claim to fame? I’ve been in the Birmingham Mail and Sky News since joining the BID.
I have a variety of nicknames… Jamie Vardy, The Greyhound and Usain Bolt of Birmingham!
Paul Barnett
CHRIS ANDERSON
What do you enjoy most about your job? The team work, the passion and drive that the community has in preventing and detecting crime within the city centre making the city a safer place to shop. What are three interesting facts about you? I was a serving police officer for 12 years. I love to play the piano. I like photography and flying my drone. What’s your claim to fame?
WAYNE McLOUGHLIN
What do you enjoy most about your job? I like helping people around the city. I enjoy helping members of the public and meeting with different agencies to help make the city safer and a more enjoyable experience. What are three interesting facts about you? I have served in the Army. I am friends with Jasper Carrott and Gary Newbon! I am a die-hard Aston Villa fan. What’s your claim to fame? I have been on ITV Central News twice, BBC Midlands Today once, the Birmingham Mail twice and the Birmingham Post once!
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BID’s 3,000 poppies to show support for Royal British Legion The second year BID backs Birmingham’s Poppy Appeal
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Above right: Yanto Evans, community fundraiser Birmingham, Royal British Legion, Lisa Williams, Deputy Chair, Retail BID Birmingham and Wayne McLoughlin, Business Patrol Officer, Retail BID Right: The NBAs and trees on New Street decorated with poppies and LED lights Main picture: High Street protection barriers with poppy decorations
Retail BID Birmingham gave city centre visitors the opportunity to remember those who fought together during WWII by decorating the black public realm protection barriers with over 3,000 poppies. Trees on New Street, High Street and Lower Temple Street were also lit red for the duration of Birmingham’s Poppy Appeal until Armistice Day, Sunday, November 11 – to create a beautiful visual statement in support of the vital work of The Royal British Legion. The steel barriers, known officially as National Barrier Assets, were repainted in gloss black and dressed with decorative planting by Retail BID during the summer. The barrier painting is one of several cleaning projects carried out by the BID in the city centre retail area. The Royal British Legion, which has a branch on New Street, provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families. For 2019, The Royal British Legion is asking communities across Britain to come together to remember the service and sacrifice, friendship and collaboration of the men and women of Britain, the Commonwealth and Allied nations who fought together 75 years ago. Sophia Snell, Community Fundraising Manager, West Midlands, said: “Each day our Armed Forces provide an incredible service to our country in all kinds of ways, many of which we don’t necessarily see, but all of which impact our lives. The unseen sacrifices they make on our behalf deserve to be recognised so wear your poppy with pride and show your support for our Armed Forces community, past and present. “Every donation received will make a real difference not only to the lives of Service men and women and veterans, but to their families as well who can also experience difficulties dealing with the circumstances of a loved one who is serving.” This is the second year that the Retail Business Improvement District and its members have shown their support for the Royal British Legion. In 2018 BID invested £97,000 in the new tree-lighting system to help
‘It is really important to the BID and the retailers in the city centre to support the Royal British Legion’ LISA WILLIAMS
decorate the city centre for Christmas and other seasonal events. The costsaving LED lights are environmentally friendly and their supports do not harm any trees. Retail BID Deputy Chair, Lisa Williams, said: “It is really important to the BID and the retailers in the city centre to support the Royal British Legion by installing the floral tribute and turning the trees red to help raise funds during the Birmingham Poppy Day Appeal.”
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A bank at the heart of the community
A ‘banking revolution’ has arrived in Birmingham city centre with Metro Bank offering a radical approach to opening hours, facilities and... family pets! From longer opening hours to drinking water for pets, Metro Bank has brought a banking revolution to Birmingham’s retail area. The bank opened to its first customers in August 2019 with a pledge to put customer service at the forefront of operations at its stunning High Street branch. The challenger bank also hosts regular business networking events. Most recently it was involved with Birmingham Tech Week and in association with Retail BID, it is part of the Christmas Paw Patrol trail (pages 4 and 5). According to analysis from Which? the West Midlands alone has seen more than 230 branch closures since 2015. The new Metro Bank in the heart of Birmingham city centre has been welcomed by the city, according to Store Manager Beth Freeman, who sits on the Board of Retail BID. It is helping breathe new life into the busy High Street and New Street area, coming hot on the heels of the new Primark Birmingham and refurbished JD Sports leisure wear and Thornton’s confectionary store. “We’re providing real choice for people when it comes to how they bank, whether that be for personal customers or business customers. For too long customers have been underserved by their bank and we are bringing back customer service,” she explains. “The store recently won the COBBA award (City of Birmingham Business Award) for Business Bank of the Year 2019 and has also been shortlisted for Business of the Year in the Birmingham Awards 2019. “The local community is really important to us and every colleague is given a ‘Day to AMAZE’, a day when they would normally be working, to volunteer their time or skills
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to give back to their local community. “In advance of the store launch, Metro Bank colleagues in Birmingham spent their Day to AMAZE cleaning up the city centre along with other local businesses to make sure Birmingham maintains its attractive appearance. “We work with local schools and youth groups to deliver our free financial education programme, Money Zone. Available for Key Stage 2 and 3 children, it’s a four-session programme. For the last session we invite the schoolchildren or youth group into store and show them a working bank in action. We show them the Magic Money Machine, the Safe Deposit Box and the kids can meet the Bank’s mascot, Metro Man. “It’s about being there for the communities we serve and this is just one of the ways we can give something back.” Rav Bagri, Local Director of the Birmingham store, believes banking choices are helping Metro focus on delivering outstanding customer service. “Metro Bank provides real choice for customers with how they bank, whether that be in store, via phone, online or via the Metro Bank app,” he explains. “We offer longer store opening times and offer customers more convenient times to bank. All stores are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays, 362 days a year. “Customers can visit a store, with no appointment needed, and open an account on-the-spot – leaving with their debit card in hand, along with internet and mobile banking set-up. We also offer safe deposit boxes, with the Birmingham store having 4,500 on site. Customers can keep their valuables safe with seven day a week access. “We give a friendly welcome to dogs and their owners, with water bowls and dog biscuits on hand for man’s best friend – dogs rule at Metro Bank!”
‘The local community is really important to us and every colleague is given a ‘Day to AMAZE’ BETH FREEMAN
Christmas deep cleaning ‘We give a friendly welcome to dogs and their owners, with water bowls and dog biscuits’ RAV BAGRI
This year the BID has invested in weekly deep cleansing of the main footfall areas. The high-powered jet washing of pavements, removing grime and chewing gum is not a statutory requirement of the local authority, however the BID feel it is an important investment that the area is cleaned on a regular basis for the benefit of city centre visitors and businesses. Key to this is cleaning the main gateways to the city that are generally the first and last impression for visitors. In recent weeks, exits and entrances to both New Street and Moor Street rail stations have been cleaned ready for the important Christmas trading period.
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EDIT PROFILE Town Hall was shaped by local people with the ambition and vision to create a better place for residents and visitors alike. Built between 1832 and 1834, Town Hall was a key element in Birmingham’s development in becoming a city. Its design, by Hansom cab creator Joseph Hansom, is based upon the Roman Temple of Castor and Pollux, and was funded by subscriptions of sixpence from Birmingham people. Town Hall was to provide a new home for the Birmingham Triennial Musical Festivals, and be the centre of the town’s cultural, political and community activities. It hosted the Triennial Festivals from 1834 to 1912, and featured works composed for the event by Dvorak, Elgar, Mendelssohn, Gounod and Sibelius. And after the last of the Triennial Festivals were staged in 1912, it became the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1926 until 1991. It has showcased gigs by major names in rock, pop, jazz, blues and folk, including Nina Simone, The Beatles, David Bowie, Thelonious Monk, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Fairport Convention, Judy Collins. Town Hall has also provided a forum for cultural and political activities, with Charles Dickens giving the first public reading of A Christmas Carol at the venue in December 1853. In December 1872, Eliza Sturge and Millicent Fawcett addressed a crowd on the topic of women’s suffrage. And it was the meeting place for local government until Birmingham’s Council House opened in the 1870s. Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, many major political figures appeared at Town Hall, in debates and hustings, including David Lloyd George,
Town Hall: An icon of the city centre Clement Atlee and Margaret Thatcher. Town Hall closed in 1996 and was placed on English Heritage’s register of buildings at risk, before renovation and restoration work commenced in 2002. The building re-opened in October 2007, with a commitment to ‘provide a platform for local, national and international artists, appealing to audiences of all ages and backgrounds’. Performances Birmingham Limited (PBL), the charity which manages Town Hall and Symphony Hall, continues the venue’s legacy today, working in partnership with
organisations like Retail BID Birmingham to inspire in local people a love of music through performance, participation and learning. Nick Reed, Chief Executive of PBL, said: “We believe that music is essential to everyone and has the power to transform and change lives, to entertain and uplift, to create shared experiences and to educate. Each year we programme hundreds of concerts and events at Town Hall. “Our Jazzlines programme is a key part of the region’s jazz infrastructure, nurturing
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new talent and creating performance opportunities.” The venue hosts hundreds of events, including the annual Welcome Reception, funded by Peter and Jane How, a free performance for children in Ladywood in their first year of school. The charity also reaches out to over 18,000 young people and adults across the city through its Learning and Participation Programme. In June 2018 PBL worked with Black Voices and Ladywood Arts Forum to mark the 70th anniversary of HMS Windrush’s journey, creating three new pieces of music and two new dances with 250 children from six primary schools and one sixth form college. As a member of Retail BID Birmingham, Town Hall has so much more to offer the retail district and their customers. Mr Reed said: “Town Hall is at the heart of Birmingham’s civic and business sectors, close to major transport hubs, and part of the city’s busy, thriving and diverse retail environment. We are working in partnership with Retail BID Birmingham and its members to develop our cultural offer and enhance the experiences available to local people and visitors to the city. “We look to support and collaborate on creative, business and retail opportunities across the city centre that will enhance Birmingham’s reputation.”
£25m public realm work in city centre
‘We look to support and collaborate on creative, business and retail opportunities across the city centre’ NICK REED, CEO
For information on supporting the charity and partnership opportunities, contact Karen Daw, Head of Development (karen. daw@thsh.co.uk). For information on corporate functions, please contact Nicole Evans, Director of Commercial Services (nicole.evans@thsh.co.uk).
TOWN HALL: NEED TO KNOW Town Hall has maximum seating capacity for 1,086 people. 27 acoustic blinds over the main windows are used to vary the acoustics of the hall. At 70 foot high, Town Hall’s organ case is as tall as two doubledecker buses stood end on end. The largest metal pipe is 35 foot and 3 inches long, equivalent to the height of a house. The organ’s largest wooden pipe has an interior measurement of 24 cubic ft and would hold enough water to fill seven bath tubs.
Plans for a £25million regeneration of Birmingham’s city centre – which include bringing Victoria Square’s famous ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ fountain back into use – have been revealed. The proposals to improve the city centre as it prepares to welcome around half a million more visitors during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are being discussed by the council’s cabinet. The multi-million-pound improvements to public spaces in the city centre, set out in the report, will include: n Renewing 40,000 sq m of public realm n Repair and restore The River fountain in Victoria Square (pictured) n Extending the pedestrian area around Victoria Square n Improving security measures at 19 city centre locations n Replacing pavement, lighting columns, CCTV and street furniture Public realm assets and areas around the city centre are in need of improvement, and these proposals will help create a gateway to the Commonwealth Games, providing a lasting legacy for Birmingham by creating a place that will enhance the city centre visitor experience, support retail business and a cleaner environment. Over a million tickets will be sold to those who attend Commonwealth Games events in Birmingham and across the West Midlands in 2022, with more than 447,000 more people expected to visit the city during Games time. Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Our city centre welcomes more than 42 million people a year, and following the regeneration works around Centenary Square and Paradise, it’s now time for us to revitalise the business and retail areas. “Birmingham 2022 provides us with an opportunity to bring forward these improvements and these exciting plans will ensure we can offer a world-class
welcome to all for the Commonwealth Games – and beyond.” The proposed works will be carried out in two phases. The first stage will include improvements to Victoria Square, Colmore Row, Waterloo St, New St, Ethel St, Lower Temple St and Temple St. The second phase will incorporate areas around Bennetts Hill, Temple Row, High St, Union St, Union Passage, Warwick Passage and Needless Alley. The works programme will also include permanent hostile vehicle security (HVM) measures as part of a comprehensive safety and security strategy for the city centre, which through this project will be integrated into the street scene, replacing temporary measures that have been in situ for several years. Funding of £5 million has already been secured as part of the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. Further funding of £5million is being sought from a capital budget for public realm that is part of the overall Commonwealth Games budget, confirmed earlier this year as being a £778million investment into the city and region. Revenue generated by the Birmingham Clean Air Zone project has also been identified as a funding source for this city centre improvement scheme.
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Counting down to new Metro extension
Trials take trams to Centenary Square for the first time as Metro extension work continues Trams arrived in Centenary Square for the first time as full tests of the Midland Metro extension were carried out in preparation for the launch of passenger services in December. A series of overnight trials saw trams running across all of the newly laid track from Grand Central, along Pinfold Street, past Victoria Square and Town Hall and on to Centenary Square. These latest tests follow a series of successful trials to Victoria Square in August,
which marked the first time in the UK that a tram used battery power to run along a modern tram line specifically built without overhead wires, marking a major step forward for light rail across the country. This achievement was recently awarded the Outstanding Engineering Achievement of the Year at the Global Light Rail Awards in London. Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street was on board as a tram completed one of its first journeys from Grand Central. Andy Street said: “This latest addition to the line, which will soon be heading out along Broad Street towards Edgbaston, offers residents a genuinely viable alternative to the car in Birmingham city centre.
With further extensions planned towards Birmingham Airport and a new Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line, our Metro network is expanding rapidly and helping to revolutionise transport across the West Midlands.” Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “This is an important moment in the project and it is fantastic to see that it is now in the final stages of completion, meaning those living, working in or visiting Birmingham can now anticipate the extension of fast, clean, reliable and eco-friendly trams throughout more of the city. Soon passenger services will begin and the new extension will help transform our vibrant city.” Peter Cushing, Director of West Midlands Metro, said: “Testing and commissioning is a
EDIT AUTUMN/WINTER 2019 PAGE 15 Picture: WMCA, shot by DMphotos
New-look Pinfold Street reopens to pedestrians
JASPER’S FUNKY TRAM!
Brummie comedy legend Jasper Carrott unveiled a tram named in his honour. It was the first time he had taken a Birmingham tram ride in 70 years and he joked that he particularly enjoyed the experience as he didn’t have to pay. Joined by his wife Hazel, he arrived by tram at the new Metro stop outside Birmingham Town Hall. His 1975 hit single Funky Moped was playing out to fans and well-wishers gathered for the event. He peeled back the sticker to reveal his name proudly displayed on the bright blue Urbos 3 tram. The new tram stop is on the West Midlands Metro extension from Grand Central to Centenary Square which is due to open to passengers in December.
crucial phase of the project and I am delighted the trials have progressed to Centenary Square.” The Birmingham Westside Metro project follows the extension from St. Chads to Grand Central, which opened for passenger service in May 2016. Once completed, trams will operate between Grand Central and Hagley Road in Edgbaston, improving transport links in the heart of Birmingham, making journeys faster and more accessible, in turn helping businesses and supporting more jobs. Construction for the new route began in June 2017 and, along with four other tram extensions in the West Midlands, is being delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Forming a key part of the new Midland Metro route, Pinfold Street in the city centre has new paving and landscaping as part of the tram works.
Now fully reopened to pedestrians, the street is a key commuter route between New Street station, Victoria Square and the Paradise development.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON TRAM NETWORK West Midlands Metro customers and city centre businesses are being offered the opportunity to share their views on the region’s tram network. Anyone completing an online survey at bit.ly/TramSurvey by November 29 will be entered into a free prize draw for £50 of vouchers from online retailer Amazon. Vicki Bennett, Metro Customer Service Manager, explained: “The views of our customers are vitally important to us and we always welcome their feedback on the services we provide. “By taking part in our survey, which only takes a few minutes to complete, they can let us know how we are doing whilst giving us an insight into the reasons they use the tram, helping us to shape our service for the future.”
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News from the city’s BIDs Retail BID works closely with the other BIDs across Birmingham and collaborates when and where it can. Here’s a brief update on projects being led by our neighbouring BIDs from marketing to the security provided by its wardens, there’s plenty on Westside BID’s agenda. This activity is constantly developing to accommodate the latest changes, which in 2020 include the Midland Metro tram extension along Broad Street and the construction of several skyscrapers. The BID ballots around 350 levypaying members every five years to continue its work with the next ballot in spring 2020. SOUTHSIDE BID
Restoration project: The Chamberlain Clock in the Jewellery Quarter
JEWELLERY QUARTER BID The Jewellery Quarter BID and Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) have released plans to renovate one of Birmingham’s muchloved landmarks. The Grade II-listed Chamberlain Clock is due to undergo major renovation work as part of the JQDT’s long-term vision of protecting the area’s unique heritage. The Chamberlain Clock, owned by Birmingham City Council, is expected to be removed from site in January 2020, so the works to the beloved landmark can begin. The JQDT plan to have the clock back in-situ for summer next year. WESTSIDE BID From street cleaning to the Wonders of Westside (WOWs) awards, and
Due to start works later in 2020, Hippodrome Square will aim to transform the heart of the Southside district in front of Birmingham Hippodrome into a vibrant public space. The new-look area on Hurst Street will connect Birmingham’s theatres with Chinatown, the Gay Village and the upcoming Smithfield regeneration to help transform the area. COLMORE BID Colmore BID’s Wellbeing Series is returning for 2020 with a difference. The series will run from Monday, January 27, to Friday, February 4, featuring over 60 hours of wellbeing focused workshops, seminars and physical activities. Workshops will be before work, at lunchtimes and evenings to make them accessible for as many as possible. Meanwhile, Gary Cardin, the Chair of Colmore BID, has announced he is standing down after leading the Business Improvement District since its inception in 2008.
What’s new at Bullring & Grand Central? Landmark openings and new restaurants strengthen centre’s appeal to visitors
It’s been a busy few months at Bullring & Grand Central with some high profile additions to the centre’s retail mix. Customers visiting the scheme this Christmas will have over 10 new shops and restaurants to experience including Base Kidswear, Levi’s and Myga Yoga, and eateries such as Slim Chickens, Kitty Café and Digbeth Dining Club favourites, Indian Streatery. H&M, which sits across three floors of the mall, has also had an overhaul; while the lower two floors remain dedicated to the brand’s fashion offering, the top level has reopened as H&M HOME. The introduction of this new concept store is a major coup for Bullring & Grand Central and a huge draw for customers from all over the region. In November our new LEGO shop opens on Upper West Mall. The store will stock a wide selection of the latest LEGO sets as well as offering a range of interactive play and event experiences including a Pick & Build Wall and Digital Box where you can see any boxed LEGO set come to life in 3D. During the past 12 months we’ve also seen a number of retailers including COS, Pandora, Footlocker and The North Face reinvest in their stores with new shopfits and the introduction of additional experiential elements, as well as some changes to the brand line-ups in our three department stores. The LinkStreet mall continues to be a hub of quirky and innovative brands as our pop-up kiosks offer high footfall locations to small and emerging brands.
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£2m INVESTMENT TO UPGRADE WALKWAYS
‘The introduction of this new concept store is a major coup for Bullring & Grand Central and a huge draw for customers from all over the region’
New arrivals at Bullring & Grand Central: Levi’s (above) and Soho Coffee, Myga Yoga, The Indian Streatery, Slim Chickens and Base (facing page)
In the weeks leading up to Christmas these kiosks promise to bring something different to our customers including unique greeting cards and locally created artwork. The next few weeks look set to be busy for the centre with in excess of one million customers expected each week in the run-up to the big day. With some big commercialisation bookings and in-centre events planned, including a spectacular Christmas extravaganza from Birmingham Hippodrome the festive season is looking bright at Bullring & Grand Central. Stephanie Lacey, General Manager, Bullring & Grand Central
Hammerson is carrying out a £2 million upgrade to New Street Mall, as part of a phased project which will include significant internal upgrades and result in a more vibrant and engaging entrance to Grand Central. The first phase of the project focuses on upgrades to the internal walkway of New Street Mall, including new seating to provide a more relaxed atmosphere and increased dwell time, pilaster treatments to revitalise the destination’s store fronts, and an innovative light installation. Phase two is projected to complete in Spring 2020 and will involve an upgrade to the double-height atrium entrance at Grand Central to enhance the visibility of the destination and cement its position as one of the most memorable landmarks in Birmingham. Conrad Bacon, Portfolio Director, said: “This £2 million project will transform New Street Mall and Grand Central, creating a fresh and dynamic entrance, with an eye-catching double-height atrium. “Across our portfolio we’re always looking at ways to improve the experience for our partners and customers and this is a fantastic example of that. “Bullring & Grand Central is one of the UK’s best retail and leisure destinations, and this investment will help ensure we continue to deliver for both consumers and brands for many years to come.”
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Flight Club hits the Bullseye ‘Phenomenal’ support since new bar opened
Over 2.2 million darts were thrown in just 10 weeks after ‘Social Darts’ venue Flight Club opened on Temple Street, with its manager describing the new bar’s launch period as ‘phenomenal’. With an immersive interior taking inspiration from the tradition of darts at the fairground and the pub, Flight Club is already becoming one of the city centre’s must-visit new venues. Flight Club boasts a feature bar and 13 oches (the darts playing area), each with its own seating area and table service. Or, if visiting with a bigger party, there are bookable spaces available for groups of 30 to 170, with the additional option of hiring the whole venue. The venue’s supercharged version of the traditional game involves multiple players (each oche will allow 12 people to play at once with tournament tech that can connect up to 150 players at once), patented dart tracking technology (designed specifically by Flight Club’s own astrophysicist), instant scoring, reimagining matches into fast-paced social experiences. General Manager Frank Burden described the incredible support the
venue has had from the community since opening. “Birmingham is a thriving city with an appetite for new and exciting venues, so I’m delighted that we’ve offered the city exactly that,” he explained. “Within our first 10 weeks of opening, over 2.2 million darts have been thrown which speaks volumes about how much our guests are loving the Flight Club experience.” The Flight Club feature bar serves a selection of craft beers and cocktails, alongside a seasonally inspired menu including light sharing plates, showstopping pizza paddles, and no trip is complete without a signature slushie. “Our Brunch Social, a twist on a classic brunch with Prosecco, bottomless pizza and Social Darts, has also been a great success with over 700 people joining us since we opened in July,” added Frank. “Later this year we are excited to be able to celebrate both Christmas and the New Year with our guests. In the run-up to Christmas, we will be hosting a festivethemed Brunch Social with warm gin and Christmas jumpers galore to get our guests in the festive spirit.
‘Birmingham is a thriving city with an appetite for new and exciting venues, so I’m delighted that we’ve offered the city exactly that’
“We will be celebrating the New Year with the Social Darts party of the year; the Flight Club experience our guests know and love, with added New Year’s Eve sparkle.” Since launching in 2015 Flight Club has become a key player in the experiential nightlife scene, credited with taking the best bits of the sport and turning it into a social experience and night out with friends or colleagues. Already situated in London, Manchester and Chicago, over a million players have, to date, thrown just under 110 million darts in Flight Club venues across the world.
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Piccadilly Arcade independent retailer Smithsonia celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. Owner Mike Ferguson reflects on the retailer’s remarkable milestone and plans for the next 40 years! Unique gift and jewellery store Smithsonia started life in Harborne High Street in 1979 before relocating to the historic Piccadilly Arcade in 1982. The store sells handmade jewellery, glass, limited edition bronzes, handmade clocks, pottery from Stoke on Trent, limited edition prints and greetings cards. Over 70% of the store’s stock is made in the UK. “The business passed to daughter and son in-law in 1989 making the current family incumbent, custodians for 30 years (where did that time go?),” remarks Mike Ferguson. “Birmingham city centre was a very different beast in the ’80s with New Street crowded with four lanes of crawling traffic. We had a tough time during the pedestrianisation works to change the area and this was all long before the start of social media and digital networking to help raise awareness of where we are. “We relied heavily on Christmas and with each one passing we gained a following of loyal customers. We still see some that have been coming in for the last 30 odd years and in fact many (men in particular) say they rely on us for Christmas, anniversaries and birthday gifts and express their relief when they find us still here!” As the years passed Smithsonia continued to grow with help from the footfall coming through Piccadilly Arcade from the new bridge exit of New Street station on Navigation Street (before Grand Central). In 2005 the store moved from two units in the lower arcade to three units and its current position in the centre of the arcade. “The city was changing again and the idea of the Retail BID – a new Business Improvement District – to work alongside the council and other partners, was discussed,” adds Mike.
Happy birthday, Smithsonia!
‘We still see some customers that have been coming in for the last 30odd years’ MIKE FERGUSON
“I was invited, after a grilling, to join the Retail BID board with a keen eye on the independents. Lots of exciting ideas, fashion shows and festivals were successfully staged which helped lift the Birmingham ‘offer’ and bring people into the city. “Trading in Piccadilly Arcade is going through another cycle of change. We’ve had a makeover with new lighting and shop fronts spruced up and we had a very enjoyable relaunch combined with a Movember charity moustache competition with great support from the Retail BID and our landlords. “Smithsonia continues to source lots of great gift ideas for the coming season to help buyers have a wonderful Christmas. The arcade should look outstanding this year with a huge new red Christmas bow all lit up with a couple of ‘Nutcracker’ figures standing sentry at each end. “We have to be thankful to the BID team
for promoting independent businesses with events and especially the topiary dinosaurs to celebrate the visit of Dippy the Diplodocus and owl and bear arts trails which were a great idea for bringing people into town. “Our Patrol Officers have made a visible difference in helping the public, as a reassuring presence and as a conduit to the police.” Looking ahead, Mike believes the city’s focus on the 2022 Commonwealth Games is fantastic. “The city council is looking at engaging more with the BIDs and businesses to improve the streetscape once more to get ready for the Games,” he explains. “This will give a much-needed fresh impetus and it’s an exciting time for the future of Birmingham. “We hope to still be here for the gift buyers of the future in one incarnation or another.”
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Good Intent launch tops a great year at independents arcade Great Western Arcade has gone from strength to strength in 2019 and continues to reinforce its reputation as Birmingham’s ‘home of hidden gems’. Boasting a vibrant mix of independent and unique retailers, one of the arcade’s biggest successes of the year is reaching full occupancy. Great Western Arcade has strengthened its appeal as a leading city centre food destination with the addition of a number of new cafés and restaurants. Most recently, the arcade enjoyed the highly anticipated opening of not-for-profit real ale bar, The Good Intent. Founded by the award-winning Stourbridge-based Craddock’s Brewery, The Good Intent is complete with art deco touches and aims to donate all its profits to charities and good causes. Through online sponsorship platform, Crowdfunder, the bar successfully raised over £18,000 to complete the refurbishment of two vacant arcade units. David Craddock, owner of Craddock’s Brewery, described the concept of the new bar as among the first of its kind in the UK. “It will be a social enterprise by myself and the rest of my board of business associates – hence the name of the pub – The Good Intent,” he said. “The interior of the bar is in keeping with the Victorian splendour of the arcade so as a customer, you will be drinking in a stunning place knowing your money will go to good causes. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported our Crowdfunding campaign, and we look forward to welcoming you all for a drink.”
Shaun Mountain, centre manager at Great Western Arcade, said: “Having watched the transformation from empty units to a fully functioning real ale bar, complete with beautiful art deco touches, we are delighted to see it open its doors to the public. We wish The Good Intent a happy and prosperous future in the Arcade.” Great Western Arcade will be taking part in events from across the city, like Retail BID’s Lego Paw Patrol Trail. Supported by Brick Live and Nickelodeon, three kittens from the ‘kitten catastrophe crew’ will be displayed at the arcade in Project 21, Mr Simms Old Sweet Shop and Paul Horton Art from November 6 until early January. Looking back on openings and initiatives in 2019, in conjunction with National Retail Month, Great Western Arcade hosted an exclusive shopping experience in the summer. Celebrating all things independent, the event was aimed at re-introducing customers to the variety of hidden gems at the arcade. As an
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‘The interior of the bar is in keeping with the Victorian splendour of the arcade so as a customer, you will be drinking in a stunning place knowing your money will go to good causes’ DAVID CRADDOCK, THE GOOD INTENT invite-only event, guests enjoyed access to exclusive offers, taster demonstrations, samples and entertainment. In a first for the city, the arcade welcomed Kuula Poké, Birmingham’s first Hawaiian restaurant serving colourful sushi-style salad bowls, complete with chicken, salmon, tuna, beef or tofu – perfect as a lunchtime treat. For those of you not in the know, Poké is a seasoned fish salad with heavy Japanese influences, typically combining sliced fresh fish such as sushi salmon and ahi tuna with sushi rice, fresh salad and tropical fruits. Award-winning vegetarian restaurant, Bistro 1847 also rebranded as Land, providing both new and loyal customers with a refreshed menu at the same high standard. Land offers quality dining with a focus on using completely natural and wholesome ingredients. Earlier this year the arcade welcomed luxury bridal boutique Feathers. Aiming to make designer brands more accessible to UK brides, Feathers partnered with global luxury designers to create a destination store for women from across the country. It’s been a very busy and exciting year and Great Western Arcade looks ahead to a bright and prosperous 2020. For more information and to keep up to date with the latest news and events, visit www.greatwesternarcade.co.uk and search Great Western Arcade on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Great Birmingham 10k passed along New Street for its 2019 route
New 10k route to cross city centre Good causes: Inside and outside The Good Intent, Great Western Arcade
Set to take place on Sunday, May 31, the Great Birmingham 10k will be staged on an exciting new course incorporating the historic heart of Birmingham, its latest developments and world-famous heritage sites. Runners will be taken past the Mailbox and through the Jewellery Quarter, one of the city’s gems – home to 40% of the UK’s jewellery production – before it reaches its grandstand finish at Victoria Square and Colmore Row. Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am excited that a route for the Great Birmingham 10k has been developed to showcase the best of the city and feature one of most its iconic areas, the Jewellery
Quarter. It’s a route that we know participants will enjoy with a finish in the heart of the city centre.” The event also features a Business Challenge, which not only pits work teams against each other for fastest-time trophies but is the perfect team-building exercise and adopted by many companies as a health and mental well-being initiative to encourage activity among employees. The Great Run Company, organisers of the annual 10k, have worked closely with Retail BID Birmingham and the city council to create the new route and will be revealing further exciting course details over the coming months.
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‘Christmas by Mailbox’ to welcome shoppers Mailbox is celebrating the festive season by hosting Christmas by Mailbox, which will see Level 1 offer beautiful festive arrangements, mulled wine and more. Next year the Mailbox will continue to grow its event portfolio, with Taste by Mailbox set to return in the summer, plus more fashion and home focused events. Indian street food restaurant, Indico, opens this winter, bringing a unique taste of India to the Mailbox. There will be food staples such as chaats and curries on offer, plus extensive vegetarian and lunch options and a dedicated vegan menu. There is also set to be updates to the award-winning car park, with new LED lighting and electric vehicle charging stations introduced, plus a complete refurbishment of the H20 car valet area,
City’s premium destination looks ahead to 2020 with range of updates to enhance centre all set to happen early next year. Further boosting the Mailbox brand, this autumn also saw the launch of a new creative campaign, ‘Only at Mailbox’, which will form the basis of a new regional advertising campaign, highlighting the Mailbox’s unique mix of style, home and interiors and dining. The Home at Mailbox showroom on Level 1 offers the only Made.com and Heal’s retail space in the Midlands, giving visitors the chance to browse the latest collections and access expert interior design advice from brands including MADE.COM, Heal’s, BoConcept, Calligaris and Authentic Furniture. Heal’s has recently welcomed three new collections into store and is now the exclusive regional retailer of the
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Hotel proposal for New Street landmark
prestigious Timothy Oulton and Ligne Roset brands, as well as being the largest stockist of Vitra designs in the area. This follows the success of the recent Vitra installation. ‘The Original. About the power of good design’ roadshow showcased a variety of Vitra originals and told the stories behind the brand’s most recognisable products and was in situ on Level 1 throughout October. A number of new retailers joined the Mailbox this year, including Sofas & Stuff, Pall Mall Barbers and James Lakeland. Castle Fine Art also opened an incredible new 6,000 sq ft space on Level 2, more than doubling its previous footprint in the centre. The gallery showcases work from renowned artists such as Lorenzo Quinn and Bob Dylan and offers the ideal space to host a multitude of artist-led events. On Level 2, the Harvey Nichols flagship store is a real draw for the Mailbox, offering exclusive beauty brands such as Fenty Beauty, Hourglass and The Ordinary as well as fashion labels like Club Monaco, that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. The Mailbox is also unique in its independent offering, with retailers such as Burrows & Hare and English Brands which have brought new, heritage fashion and accessories to Birmingham. For visitors from further afield, it’s easy to make a weekend of it and explore everything that the city has to offer, with an overnight stay at Malmaison or AC Hotel. Located in the heart of the city, with a 24-hour carpark, the Mailbox has everything shoppers need for a great day out.
Left: Mailbox’s canalside bars and restaurants Below left: Home at Mailbox showroom on Level 1 Above: Castle Fine Art
King Edward House on New Street
There is also set to be updates to the awardwinning car park, with new LED lighting and electric vehicle charging stations
The landmark King Edward House office building on New Street could be transformed into a new hotel, according to plans. The former office floors of the building would be converted into a 259-bedroom hotel if the proposals submitted to Birmingham City Council by M&G Real Estate are approved in the coming months. The retail space on the ground floor would be retained under the plans, while the building’s exterior would be brightened and refurbished. The applicant has said the development would create a range of new employment opportunities, both during the construction period and in the form of long-term jobs at the hotel itself. Will Gerrish, retail development
manager at M&G Real Estate, said: “The redevelopment proposals for King Edward House represent a significant investment into a unique and historic city centre building, bringing it into full public use for the first time. “Advanced discussions are underway with a boutique hotel operator seeking its first Birmingham presence and we look forward to being able to share more details about them and their ambitions for Birmingham in due course. “We see real opportunity in repurposing this building to react to an undersupply of hotel accommodation in the city centre and to help support a thriving local economy. We now await with interest the decision of the council’s planning department.”
‘We see real opportunity in repurposing this building to react to an undersupply of hotel accommodation in the city centre and to help support a thriving local economy’ M&G REAL ESTATE
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Bright new look for Thorntons
Below: Manager Shelle Dind cuts the ribbon to launch the new-look store
Personalisation at the heart of new offers for Thorntons on High Street
The newly-refurbished Birmingham High Street Thorntons store has a Craftery offer where customers can create their own box of chocolates. In the new Birmingham store, customers will have the chance to witness the love, passion and care that goes into each Thorntons product. The new Craftery allows customers to select their preferred Thorntons
flavours to create a bespoke gift box. A selection of hot and cold drinks inspired by Thorntons chocolate flavours are also available to purchase in-store, with smooth hot chocolate or creamy chocolatey milkshakes, both crafted by Thorntons chocolate makers. The new look store also has a Thorntons Chocolate Blocks library offering customers the opportunity to curate their own bespoke chocolate block pack from a collection of amazing flavours. And if this does not sound enticing enough, the store has a chocolate fountain
where customers can enjoy a selection of delicious treats including: strawberries, fudge, brownies and mini doughnuts, covered in a layer of chocolate – tempered in store. Sarah Ingram, Retail Director of Thorntons said: “We are thrilled to open our refurbished Thorntons store in Birmingham – it gives us the opportunity to demonstrate to existing and new customers the love and passion we have for our chocolates – the dedication to delivering beautifully crafted gifts that we pride ourselves on. “We look forward to welcoming our customers to enjoy the Thorntons experience.”
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Gino D’Acampo, the UK’s favourite Italian chef, has opened his muchanticipated new restaurant in the Retail BID. The opening marks the completion of the first of a two-phased programme, with the second phase of Gino’s grand plans for Birmingham promising a roof-top sky bar and restaurant, with spectacular views overlooking the city. Gino’s 165-cover restaurant, situated on the bustling Temple Row in the former Allied Irish Bank space, right next to The Ivy & San Carlo, boasts a 25-metre cocktail bar, deli bar and private dining. An open kitchen with a spectacular hand-crafted copper wood oven sits in the centre of the restaurant, providing guests with the opportunity ‘I am super to watch Gino’s chefs in action. excited to be The wine list opening in offers one of the such a great biggest selections of prosecco, location in sparkling wine and Birmingham’ Franciacorta in the country, with over 30 GINO varieties to choose D’ACAMPO from, many of which you won’t find available elsewhere. A strong selection of classic Italian cocktails and artisan Italian beers will complement the list. Bringing a further touch of Italian culture to the heart of Birmingham, every afternoon will see Aperitivo time at Gino D’Acampo, when guests can enjoy typical Italian nibbles called ‘Cicchetti’ in the bar, all on Gino. As you would expect of the boy from Naples, there will also be real Neapolitan coffee. Gino said: “I want to open restaurants in the coolest cities in the UK, so I am super excited to be opening in such a great location in Birmingham. “It took me years to find the perfect site. People here love to dress up and go out and I’m excited to welcome them personally to my restaurant. “The restaurant serves real Italian food from breakfast until late all day, every day.
Gino brings Italian classics to the BID Popular TV chef Gino opens in BID’s booming dining quarter
Gino D’Acampo in the kitchen of his Birmingham restaurant (below centre) and the main dining area, main picture
It will also provide its own delivery service where guests can order online and enjoy Gino at home or at the office. “The menu is special, a proper traditional Italian menu with a gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.” Gino first made his move into restaurants when he teamed up with friend and business partner Steven Walker, founder of the up-market Manchester based restaurant group Individual Restaurants, whose collection includes, Bank Restaurant & Bar, Piccolino, The Restaurant Bar & Grill and Opera Grill.
MORE NEW ARRIVALS TO THE RETAIL BID OVER THE PAGE
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200 Degrees T4
Welcome!
Franco Manca
New arrivals in the Retail BID FRANCO MANCA
Sourdough pizza specialist Franco Manca has opened a restaurant on Bennetts Hill in the city centre. Franco Manca offers a range of pizzas suitable for all dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten free. The restaurant is a major name on the UK’s pizza scene, with more than 30 restaurants across the UK. The chain opened its Birmingham restaurant with an offer for all pizzas at £5 to create a buzz among city centre diners. The pizzeria, in the home of a former Nationwide bank, offers a small but valuepacked menu of pizzas and salads, all of which are prepared to order and cooked on the open stove in the heart of the restaurant.
RUDY’S
Another pizzeria has opened on Bennetts Hill, in the site of the former Spanish restaurant Amantia. Neapolitan restaurant Rudy’s Pizza was first launched in Manchester in 2015. Its Birmingham
restaurant has created 30 jobs. The new Birmingham site is Rudy’s fourth and has an 85-cover restaurant for walk-ins only. It has handmade wood-fired ovens shipped from Naples, and Rudy’s chefs use traditional flour and San Marzano tomatoes from the fields next to Mount Vesuvius. The restaurant owners say they will also use locally sourced ingredients. Rudy’s Pizzeria currently operates sites in Manchester Ancoats, Manchester Peter Street, and Liverpool.
SANTANDER
Santander UK has opened its new branch at 6 Caxton Gate, Corporation Street. It is the latest of Santander’s branches to be opened as part of a programme to deliver even better customer service and community-friendly banking. New facilities include digital workstations with tablets for online banking, Express Banking with a new ATM wall, counter services for more secure transactions as well as private interview rooms. The branch, which employs 28 staff and
is managed by Jasbir Dhaliwal, will also feature a picture wall to display local community initiatives such as Santander Foundation grants.
200 DEGREES COFFEE
Speciality coffee roaster 200 Degrees has opened its second café in Birmingham on Lower Temple Street. The launch of the new coffee shop follows the success of its Colmore Row site, which opened in 2016. As well as speciality coffee roasted by the 200 Degrees roast house in the East Midlands, the store sells sandwiches, baguettes, a range of salads, pastries and soups. The new shop brings 20 new jobs to Birmingham. Tom Vincent, co-founder and director of 200 Degrees, said: “The decision to open a second coffee shop in Birmingham was an easy one for us. With the Colmore Row shop being so well received, we knew it
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Santander
Rudy’s Pizza was the right time to open another and its location near Birmingham New Street is ideal for everyone.”
T4
Taiwanese bubble tea specialist T4 has opened a new store on New Street. Bubble tea is a Taiwanese milky, tea-based drink invented in the 1980s. The drink’s distinctive look and taste comes from using tea leaves with tapioca balls added. Richard Walker, commercial surveyor with landlord Hortons’ Estate, said: “T4 is a successful franchise business, with outlets in a number of prominent retail centres around the country. “We’re looking forward to the company bringing its unique style of tea to Birmingham.”
Congratulations to Adams... top of the UK TripAdvisor list Award-winning chef Adam Stokes has described his delight after Adam’s Restaurant was named number one in the UK in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for Fine Dining Restaurants. TripAdvisor unveiled the results of its annual Travellers’ Choice Awards for Restaurants, which took into consideration the quantity and quality of the reviews left on the platform. The fine dining category looked at ‘high-end, special occasion restaurants known for impeccable food and service’ – and topping the list was Adams in Birmingham, which wowed with its mouthwatering dishes and friendly service. Adam’s also proved a hit worldwide as it was also named the tenth best restaurant in the world, as well as the sixth best in Europe. It’s also the second time it’s topped the UK list, having previously won the accolade in 2015. Adam Stokes, who runs the restaurant with wife Natasha, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded number 1 in the UK and 10th in the world in the Travellers’ Choice Awards for Fine Dining Restaurants. This is our sixth proud year of being included in these customer focused awards and it is a huge achievement. “I am immensely proud of our whole team, AKA the ‘Adam’s family’. With special credit to our Service Manager Shaun who has been with Adam’s since day 1 and really embodies all that the ‘Adam’s family’ is about. Every day we strive to produce a top class experience for
Adam Stokes
all our guests, constantly assessing and improving. “Not only have we come such a long way, since starting a pop-up seven years ago, but the city has grown and bloomed in this time too. Restaurants are popping up all the time and the street food scene has brought a host of new experiences to people. I hope that the city continues to support independents and the unique. “We look forward to pushing our restaurants forward and watching this amazing city continue to grow as we look excitedly to where the future takes us.” Retail BID would like to congratulate Adam and Natasha on this achievement.
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