Southside BID Birmingham
SPOTLIGHT
Spring 2017
Southside Square development announced for Southside
Dancexchange offer for Southside levy payers
Chinese New Year Photo Competition
Love & Pride in Southside
A38 Bristol Road Proposed Cycle Route Consultation Plans
Selly Oak
City Centre
Find out more and have your say online:
www.birmingham.gov.uk/bcr Or view the plans by visiting one of these venues
Drop in and talk to us at one of our Public Events
View the plans and fill in a feedback form at any of the locations below. Please check the opening hours of these venues before making a trip.
University Station (Outside Plaza) Westgate/Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, B15 2FB Tuesday 28 February 2017, 2pm to 6pm
Council House Victoria Square, B1 1BB
Quarter Horse Coffee
88-90 Bristol Street, B5 7AH Thursday 2 March 2017, 10am to 2pm
Lancaster Circus Queensway, B4 7DJ
Cannon Hill Park
Quarter Horse Coffee 88-90 Bristol Street, B5 7AH Munrow Sports Centre University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Selly Oak Library 669 Bristol Road, B29 6AE
(Outside Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)/ Canoe Pool), B13 8RD Saturday 4 March 2017, 11am to 4pm
Aston Webb Boulevard (Outside Plaza) Grange Rd/Aston Webb Blvd, Selly Oak, B29 6BL Thursday 9 March 2017, 11am to 3pm
Consultation closes on Friday 24 March 2017 www.bhamcyclerevolution.org.uk birminghamcyclerevolution
@BCRbirmingham
A warm welcome to the Spring edition of Spotlight!
W
ith the Chinese Year of the Rooster now well underway, we’ll be taking a look back at Birmingham’s biggest ever Chinese New Year celebrations – which saw record numbers of visitors brave the wet weather to celebrate Chinese New Year in the heart of Southside. Also you can learn more in this issue about the multimillion pound redevelopment of Southside Square, with plans now developed for a new public space complete with a 40-foot high Chinese arch there to dwarf those that welcome visitors to London’s Chinatown. I hope by now you have had a chance to check out our new green project, the Pocket Park on Bromsgrove St. Small but perfectly formed, it’s the ideal place to grab a coffee and a few quiet minutes amidst the bustle of the Gay Village. With Birmingham’s Flatpack Film Festival now in its eleventh year, we’re delighted that for the first time, Southside will be the focus for the 2017 festival in early April. Highlights will include a celebration of the work of David Lynch and a gongoozling day on April 8th. (Gongoozling is canal watching. But I’m sure you knew that.) And staying with festivals, it’s fifty years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK. That means an extra special Birmingham Pride in May; get those tickets now. Finally, staying with the theme Love and Pride, mine is at a high ebb this month, whilst tinged with sadness as I step down at the end of March as manager of the BID. It’s been an amazing journey – as I explain in more detail on page 24. Anyone keen to step into my shoes can find the job advert on page 25. If you picked up a copy of this magazine and would like your own sent to your place of work or home, get in touch with us on 0121 643 3720. Julia Chance Southside BID Manager Designed and produced by GEM Media www.gemmedia.co.uk
Contents Spring 2017 4-5
Multi Million Pound Public Realm Development Announced for Southside
6
Flatpack Fim Festival
9
Active Citizens & John Lander
10 - 11
Love & Pride
12 - 13
Chinese New Year Photo Competition
14
DanceXchange Offer
20
The Lock Gate
22 - 23
Southside Social
24
BID Manager Farewell
27
In the Spotlight Interview with Adrian Middleton
28
M6 Closures
30 - 31
What’s on
Spring 2017 |
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Multi million pound public realm development announced for Southside
B
irmingham’s most diverse city district has unveiled concept plans for a new multi-million pound public realm project which will create high quality pedestrianised areas by closing off through-roads with the
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potential to construct a giant traditional Chinese Arch. Championed by Southside Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Hippodrome and the Chinese community, the project proposes the construction of a new public space for Southside. For the first time
Chinatown will be united by removing traffic from part of Ladywell Walk and Hurst Street up to Thorp Street. The new square would be used to promote outdoor cultural performances, festivals, markets and public art installations and will significantly improve public access to Southside by enhancing pedestrian and cycle routes to and from the city centre and major transport hubs.
will also provide greatly enhanced pedestrian and cycle connections to the proposed Birmingham Smithfield regeneration site. The public realm improvements are being developed through the Southside Link project, part of the Enterprise Zone Connecting Opportunities programme which is being delivered by Birmingham City Council. Funding will be sought from the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP)’s Enterprise Zone, Section 106 funds from recent nearby residential schemes, and contributions from local businesses, organisations and community stakeholders. Paul Garry, chairman of Southside Business Improvement District, said: “Southside Square is part of the wider regeneration of this part of the city, championed by Southside Business Improvement District in its remit to improve the area for all. We anticipate the Square will provide a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors and residents to enjoy and we are working hard with our partners to make this project a reality.”
Southside Square is the latest potential development to be announced in the district following news of the Planning Committee’s approval for a £70 million regeneration project on Smallbrook Queensway, including plans for one of Birmingham’s tallest residential buildings and the demolition of the Ringway Centre. The new square and improvements to surrounding streets
Councillor John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This is an important stage in ongoing plans to transform the south side of the city centre, delivering better public spaces and an improved quality of life for residents and visitors. “Together with the recent announcement of a £70 million plan to redevelop Smallbrook Queensway, Southside Square will give a new heart and stronger identity to Chinatown, as well as
extending the benefits of the New Street Station redevelopment with improved pedestrian and cycle links. “This is an important link in the development chain that will eventually lead to completion of the £500 million Smithfield project to regenerate the wholesale markets area with 2,000 new homes, as well as parks and gardens.” Fiona Allan, CEO and artistic director of Birmingham Hippodrome and president of UK Theatre, said: “Now more than ever arts and culture have a crucial role in connecting people from all cultural and economic backgrounds “This will be an exciting and new creative space where local communities can gather for cultural experiences, as performers, participants and audiences. We look forward to enhancing our performance programme in this space as we grow our festivals and our community projects for increasingly diverse audiences”. James Wong, Chairman of Chinese Festival Committee – Birmingham and Director of Chung Ying Group, added: “This public realm project really sees Southside’s ambitions come to fruition. Making the area easier to navigate and more welcoming for pedestrians is integral to its being a must-visit destination. This new space also enables us to showcase the fantastic arts and culture we have here. The Chinese arch is something that CFC-B has been working to achieve for a long time; creating a permanent celebration of Chinese culture in Birmingham and an icon that will be celebrated for years to come.” Spring 2017 |
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FLATPACK HITS SOUTHSIDE
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irmingham’s world renowned Flatpack Film Festival returns from 4 - 9 April 2017. Famed for its diverse and eclectic programme, the city’s largest and most adventurous film festival prides itself on creating unique and memorable experiences for audiences of all ages. Now in its 11th year, Flatpack attracts over 14,000 attendees annually and will screen over 200 films across the 6 days, with a good deal of the action taking place in a range of Southside venues including the Old Rep, Electric Cinema, Glee Club, Patrick Centre and many others. The festival first started life as a short film night in a pub, and has built up a reputation for putting a unique spin on the film-going experience. This year is no exception, including one-of-a-kind virtual reality performance The Shared Individual,
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a canal-based ‘Gongoozling Day’ with screenings on boats, and a series of live soundtrack events of all shapes and sizes. One of the highlights will be Round China With a Movie Camera, gathering a host of rare archive footage of China with live music by Redditch-born composer Ruth Chan (Old Rep, 7 April), and the festival will also be paying homage to cult director David Lynch with a number of screenings and events including the premiere of the newly restored Mulholland Drive. “It’s been really exciting to see some of the changes in Southside over the past few years,” said festival director Ian Francis, “and with such a brilliant range of cultural venues, bars and restaurants it makes the perfect home for us. If you’ve never been to Flatpack before, just drop in – there will be all sorts of free taster events throughout the week.” A selection of highlights will be announced this month and then the full programme launches in March at www.flatpackfestival.org.uk.
“Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Never Hurt Me” The Rise of Hate Crime by Ian Henery, Solicitor
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” So goes the children`s rhyme. However outside the playground such name-calling can be viewed as a hate crime and in some cases, words can do as much damage as a physical assault. In extreme cases, the damage caused by such hate crime can last a long time and cause mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. A hate crime is defined as acts of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are or whom the perpetrator of the hostility believes they are, based upon their sexuality, ethnic group, religion or disability. Incidents may involve physical assault, damage to property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, graffiti or hate mail. A US study of lesbian and gay victims of violent hate crimes documented that the victims experienced higher levels of psychological distress than lesbian and gay victims of comparable crimes
not motivated by an anti-gay bias (i.e; hate crime). In addition, studies also record how hate crime impacts on the community as a whole, generating divisions and factionalism which is particularly damaging to multicultural societies. There has been a spike in hate crime in the US since Donald Trump was elected President, with 8,197 reports recorded in a random survey over 10 days against women, ethnic minorities and LGBT people. The survey was conducted by the Southern Poverty Law Centre with anti-immigrant attacks accounting for 280 of the total numbers. Trump`s ban on Muslims entering the US has led many to believe that the President has mainstreamed Islamophobia and bigotry in the White House. There are parallels in the US with the spike in hate crime triggered by Brexit in the UK. The rise in racist language, general hate crime and fake news – plus the demonising of immigrants – has created an environment where open bigotry can be seen to flourish. Southside is a haven for all nationalities, sexualities and creeds and thus we must all unite together to stop hate crime. By
reporting hate crime to the police you will help them to understand the true extent of the issue in your local area so they can better respond to it. The police can only prosecute when the law is broken and can better work with community partners to try and prevent an escalation in seriousness. There are many ways in which you can stand up to hate crime to make a difference to you, your community, your friends and your life. You can report a crime in several ways: In an emergency call 999 and ask for the police. Visit your local police station and report it or call the ;police on the non-emergency number (available online or telephone directory) If you want to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 055 111. Online www.reportit.org.uk and, if you need help, the Citizens Advice Bureau. You can call a Southside warden or visit the BID office in Wynner House on Hurst St which is a nominated and trained Third Party Reporting Centre Ian Henery is based in Southside; call into his Latitude Branch at 155 Bromsgrove St for more details. Spring 2017 |
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Active Citizens and Jon Lander
J
on has been a West Midlands Police officer for eight years and has worked as part of the Birmingham city centre neighbourhood team for four years. He first started to focus his work in Southside’s Chinatown area in October 2016 when he volunteered to be Chinese Liaison Officer.
Jon started working on the Birmingham Chinese Active Citizens project in December 2016 after an introduction to Chinese Business Network for Young Professionals, Chinese Future. With help from organisers it was identified that there is a lot of good community work taking place within Southside. The aim of the Birmingham Chinese Active Citizens project is to organise, help, support and promote the good work being done in the community, create greater awareness of the events and organisations and try and encourage more people to get involved in community projects. United Travel’s Leona Leung (also the Chair of Chinese Future) is the lead for the project. As a local police officer Jon is supporting her. They want to invite every member of the community to get involved. Local businesswoman Leona Leung said ‘‘I am looking forward to our partnership with West Midland Police and to developing a stronger and safer local community. We have planned many projects to connect and grow communities as well as informing businesses and individuals how to stay safe and prevent crime.’’ Active Citizens is set up to affect social change for a fairer society. Individuals and neighbourhoods in Birmingham can join the “Birmingham Chinese Active Citizens” and assist the police to help prevent crime and tackle anti-social behaviour, making your area a safer place to be. This can be achieved by looking out for your neighbours, sharing safety tips, and setting up Neighbourhood Watch groups, Street-Watch programmes, and more. To get involved, email Birmingham Chinese Active Citizens at activecitizens@outlook.com or join the facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/ BirminghamChineseActiveCitizens/ You can contact Jon Lander, the WM Police Force Chinese Liaision Officer by calling 0345 113 5000 (Extension 844 6309) or by emailing j.lander@ westmidlands.pnn.police.uk In an emergency RING 999 Spring 2017 |
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Love & Pride in Southside
S
outhside is gearing itself up for another massive Birmingham Pride festival this Spring Bank Holiday on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May 2017. The popular LGBT festival is now one of the biggest in the UK, and boasts a host of big-name artists on its main stage and organisers have confirmed this year looks set to be no exception!
In the last couple of years artists like Jess Glynne, Erasure’s Andy Bell, Lisa Stansfield, Gabrielle, Lawson and Katy B have all graced the Birmingham Pride stage. The festival launches each year with the Carnival Parade, setting off from Victoria Square at 12 noon. The spectacle is watched by over 75,000 people who line the streets of the parade route, which then winds its way down to the Gay Village in Southside. This year’s Parade theme is ‘Love and Pride’ to commemorate the 50th anniversary since the decriminilisation of homosexuality in the United Kingdom in 1967. Lawrence Barton, Birmingham Pride Festival Director, commented: “This year we’re expecting to build on the huge success of the last few years. Each year we’re amazed by the tens of thousands of spectators who turned out to support our Carnival Parade, in addition to all the visitors to the two-day Pride festival that follows in the heart of Southside.” Keep an eye on Birmingham Pride’s social media to see who’s on the line-up this year. We can exclusively reveal (at the time of going to press) that both Saara Aalto, this year’s X Factor runner-up, and Louisa Johnson, last year’s X Factor winner are the first artists to be announced, with many many more to be revealed in the coming days! If you, or your company, would like to get involved with Birmingham Pride – perhaps enter a float in the Carnival Parade – or have a question to ask the organisers, then please contact their Festival Co-Ordinator, Peter Wright on 0121 622 5255 or email him directly at peter@birminghampride.com To buy tickets for this year’s festival or for more information visit www.birminghampride.com Spring 2017 |
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Chinese New Year Photo Competition On Sunday 29 January Southside was full of lions, dragons and fire crackers as the Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham hosted their biggest ever Chinese New Year celebrations ever, with over 30,000 visitors coming along to marvel at the Chinese cultural entertainment, lion dances and acrobatics on the various stages on Hurst St and Ladywell Walk. After the Festival, we ran a Photo Competition and chose three winners: Ata Adnan, James Maher and Antony Taylor. The winners will receive a canvas print of their image and Southside will print several thousand postcards to distribute throughout the city to celebrate our vibrant Chinese culture. Pick one up in any Southside hotel or contact us to get your own.
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DANCEXCHANGE OFFER FOR SOUTHSIDE LEVY PAYERS
DanceXchange are delighted to offer Southsiders concessionary rates for any of our classes; just show your ID at DX reception. Our classes are drop-in, no need, to book just turn up! You can find us on: Level 5, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thorp Street, Birmingham, B5 4TB 0121 667 6730 dancexchange.org.uk
Adult Beginners Classes Are you new to dance or perhaps your last experience was years ago? DanceXchange offers fun classes in a variety of styles where no experience is required. All levels of fitness are welcome and classes are available on a pay as you go basis, enabling you to try a session to see what suits you best. Our beginners’ classes are the perfect way to keep fit, make friends and learn a new skill. Ballet Beginners – Mondays 6pm, Tuesdays 7.30pm, Thursdays 6pm Learn co-ordination and alignment through a fun warm up and barre work in this introduction to the basics of classical ballet. Street Dance Styles Beginners – Mondays 6pm Hugely popular, each week covers a variety of styles from popping, locking, house, hip hop, waacking and the basics of breakin’.
Time Table Classes are one hour 15 minutes long, except for Street Dance Beginners which is one hour. Check out our website for full details at dancexchange.org.uk Ballet Beginners - Mondays 6pm, Tuesdays 7.30pm, Thursdays 6pm Swing Dance Beginners - Mondays 6pm Contemporary Beginners - Tuesdays 6pm Flamenco Beginners - Tuesday 6.45pm Jazz Dance Beginners - Thursday 6pm
Swing Dance Beginners – Mondays 6pm You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll soon be swinging around the studio learning the Lindy Hop and Charleston. A fun, energetic class that doesn’t require you to bring a partner – but it’s always more fun with friends! Contemporary Beginners – Tuesdays 6pm Explore the basics of contemporary dance by improving coordination, strength, body alignment and flexibility. Flamenco Beginners – Tuesday 6.45pm A thrilling introduction to basic rhythms, posture, footwork, hand and arm movements, including styling and expression. Jazz Dance Beginners – Thursday 6pm This lively class will give you an aerobic and fun workout. Fast and energetic Jazz Dance uses a combination of lots of different dance moves, made familiar from films, musicals and TV.
Season Highlights “breathtaking to watch” THE STAGE
Tavaziva
AFRICARMEN
A new interpretation of the Carmen story Thursday 9 March, 1.30pm & 8pm
“choreography that feels freshly minted” THE GUARDIAN
James Cousins Company
ROSALIND
Shakespeare’s heroine re-imagined Thursday 6 - Friday 7 April, 8pm
"dash, daring and joie de vivre" THE GUARDIAN
Ballet Black DX Registered Charity No. 1045364
TRIPLE BILL RED RIDING HOOD Featuring
Thursday 25 - Friday 26 May, 8pm
DanceXchange at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome 0844 338 5000 dancexchange.org.uk
Tickets from £8 50% off Season Offer – see website
The Lock Gate
By Ian Henery We used to meet by the old lock gate Along the canal, your smile in my heart. I come here often now we are apart And for you, by narrow boats, I will wait. Hand in hand on towpaths we walked on dates The canal, like a river, in the sun. Straight as Cupid`s arrow the horizon But time changes all and this is my fate. Canal stretches forward across the land And narrow boats pass through the locks and go; Water is a constant, it has no flow, Just like when you gave me your heart and hand. All seasons change, nothing lasts forever, Here I remain; desert my post? Never! My heart at attention, yours to command.
SPOTLIGHT Southside BID Birmingham
January 201 7
SPOT1L0IGHT ingham Southside BID Birm
tips to avoid Cybercrime
Spring 2017
Chinese New Year of the Roos ter Southside Square
Special Offe
development announced for Southside
Dancexchange offer for Southside levy payers
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rs Inside
Chinese New Year Photo Competition
Love & Pride in Southside
See Your Brand in the Summer 2017 SPOTLIGHT If you are a Southside Levy Payer you can advertise or feature FREE in the next SPOTLIGHT contact information@southsidebid.co.uk
Join us for a fabulous dinner at La Cage aux Folles Thursday 18 May - Studio 5, Birmingham Hippodrome
What better way to entertain clients, reward hard-working colleagues or prepare for the weekend with friends than with an un-apologetically glamorous night at the theatre! Be among our 100 guests and enjoy an exclusive reception and 3-course seated dinner in our specially styled Studio 5. You and your guests will be seated in top price seats for the performance of the spectacular new version of the much loved musical, La Cage Aux Folles. Featuring West End star John Partridge as Albin and Broadway leading man Adrian Zmed as Georges, the showstopping score includes The Best of Times, Song on the Sand and I Am What I Am. John’s theatre credits boast West End productions of A Chorus Line, Cats, Starlight Express and Chicago, whilst on TV he is best known for playing Christian in BBC’s EastEnders. Adrian’s Broadway credits include Blood Brothers, Grease and Falsettos and on TV he is best loved as Officer Vince Romano in the hit TV show T.J. Hooker and on the big screen as Johnny in Grease 2.
As well as a top price ticket to this fantastic show your evening includes: • An exclusive drinks reception in our brand new atrium • A delicious 3-course dinner courtesy of our in-house chefs • A show programme (one between two) • An after-party with DJ and pop-up bar Tickets cost just £95 per person. SAVE! Book by the end of February you pay just £90 per person when booking a table of 10! Be part of the fabulous-ness and book your places today! Call Charlie on 0121 689 3085 or email
charlespette@birminghamhippodrome.com
Social Southside Social is a social networking event held bimonthly by Southside BID where Southside businesses and their staff meetup to exchange ideas, contacts and do business with one another. The event includes a free drink and some food and is free to Southside Levy Payers and just ÂŁ10 to those who are not. Contact us on 0121 643 3720 for details of our next event and join us.
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LAST CHANCE - BID manager moves on
A
fter six years, Julia Chance is leaving Southside to take up a new role as Head of Impact and Engagement at Aston Business School Legend has it that the emperor Augustus boasted he had found Rome a city of brick and left it one of marble – a reference to the transformation of Rome’s public spaces that took place during his reign. Julia Chance would be the first to say that comparing her to a Roman Emperor is quite a stretch, but get her talking about her time as Southside BID manager, and her pride in the physical changes she has helped to bring about on our streets shines through. “The Rhinestone Rhino, Ann Garforth Fox, David Bowie mural and the public art along Essex Street,” she says. “These are examples of ways we have transformed spaces with very little money. It is these projects that have set us apart in the city in terms of place making through public art.” Projects like the colour changing lighting on the Pagoda at Holloway Circus and on the Hurst St land bridge, plus the Pocket Park on Bromsgrove Street and the pollutionbusting Green Wall along the A38 have changed previously forbidding 24
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parts of Southside into places people are happy to use.
applied for the job on a whim and was appointed to her own surprise.
“On modest budgets, we have shown what can be achieved when local businesses and partners work together,” Julia says.
“I was amazed they chose me,” she says. “My previous experience was in automotive research and development. But I had a passion for Southside and its people.
She is prouder still, though, of something she has helped to build which is less tangible: the closer relationship between the LGBT and Chinese communities in Southside. “When I arrived in 2011, they existed side by side but didn’t really interact,” she says. “Now there is a lot of cross promotion of events, networking and collaboration. Chinese businesses are now part of the Pride parade, for example and LGBT festivals are looking at ways of introducing Chinese culture into their offerings. Bringing those two communities together is something I am very proud of.” Birmingham Pride director Lawrence Barton agrees there are links between the two groups that did not exist before and praised Julia for her hard work. “She has brought a huge amount of enthusiasm, belief and ambition, and she has been very committed to delivering the BID’s objectives,” he said. “We couldn’t have asked for more from a BID manager.” Landing the role was a lucky break for the appropriately named Chance, who
“It was tough to start with – I admit that in the first few months, I felt like quitting. It was 2011 and we had just had riots in Birmingham. It was a tough time... and it was quite difficult in the beginning to get local businesses to let me help them.” She says her successor will need to be adaptable. With Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police both under pressure from budget cuts, the BID’s role is, she says, more important than ever. “We are unique amongst BIDs in the city – in the country, probably – for our diversity. There are lots of different communities, different needs and opposing personalities here. That is the strength of Southside, but it’s also a challenge.” “It feels like the frontline services we rely on are forever reducing and that can create problems. It’s frustrating sometimes, but whoever follows me is going to have the most amazing time.” Anyone who fancies the job – and those challenges – need look no further than the advert on the next page.
SOUTHSIDE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BID Manager Salary: £30,000 - £40, 000 per annum (Depending on experience) Job Type: Full time Southside is a distinctive quarter within Birmingham’s expanding city centre, driven by a unique mix of developments including the Chinese Quarter and Gay Village, the Arcadian Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Radisson Blu Hotel and 02 Academy. The Electric Cinema, Old Rep. Theatre and the National Trust Back to Backs also add to the area’s eclectic mix. Southside is also home to a wide range of city living developments, retail, commercial, offices and warehouses. This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed person who wants to help improve the economic vibrancy of Southside area. This high profile and challenging post will suit someone with a real passion for making things happen, developing and delivering a variety of projects & services, managing within a budget, maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels and making sure that successes are widely promoted and understood. A high level of interpersonal and communication, tact and diplomacy and project management skills are required. Experience in marketing and promotional activities will be an advantage.
Key to your success will be your ability to involve local people and companies at every level, and your talent for inspiring and motivating others. Working for Southside BID you will be responsible for ensuring we offer high quality services and exciting events/projects, promote local businesses, improve commercial viability and increase footfall. You will also work closely with the other three City Centre BIDs and support joint BID initiatives to benefit and raise the profile for Southside. In short, to act as an advocate/champion for the Southside BID area. Experience of partnership working is essential as is knowledge of the key issues, opportunities and challenges facing town centres in the future. For more information about Southside BID visit www.southsidebid.co.uk Please send CV and supporting letter to recruitment@birminghamhippodrome.com Please note we will only contact applicants shortlisted for interview.
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Warm up for your performance... Pop in and enjoy barista coffee and homemade cakes from our new coffee bar!
Coffee bar open 7.30am 7.3 on show 0pm days (us ually Tue - Sat)
birminghamhippodrome.com Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB
Interview with Adrian Middleton, Interim Southside BID Manager
Tell us about yourself? I’ve been appointed to take over BID Management in an interim capacity whilst the board recruit to fill Julia’s role. I have spent 30 years in the Public Sector but for the last five years I’ve run my own publishing and consultancy business. I’m on the board of a charity, which focuses on social enterprise infrastructure and I’ve written several books, including one on the local history of Birmingham. I’ve been a customer of Southside since I was a young lad so I think this area runs through me like a stick of rock. How do you think the BID has contributed to Southside? The transformation since the formation of the BID in this area has been inspirational. The area really stands out now in its own right and yet still has the capacity to become something even bigger and better. With new development such as Birmingham Smithfield, Southside Square and HS2, I can see Southside becoming the thriving heart of a Covent Garden style business community. What’s the best thing about Southside? For me, you can see the growth of Chinatown and with the Birmingham Smithfield development
and Southside Square, I see this area coming into its own in years to come as a tourist hot spot. Also I’m a big fan of Asian food. What advice would you give someone wishing to start a business in this area? Talk to us at the BID for a start. We can help you learn about the community here and connect you with its champions. We can help put you in touch with property developers, landlords, business service providers and more. The BID is a one stop shop for business advice. Whether new or existing, all businesses should get involved with the BID. What do you think is going to be your biggest challenge in your interim role here? Filling Julia’s shoes is going to be difficult as she is very well liked and respected by the local businesses here. Also establishing new working relationships with businesses and partners will be a challenge, but one I’m really looking forward to. How do you spend your spare time? I love to walk, so I walk a lot around the city. I love to write and I’m working on a new book as we speak and I love social media, especially Facebook. Spring 2017 |
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Essential bridge work on the m6 northbound carriageway between junction 7 and 8 Location: M6 J7-8 NB Scheme start date: 20 Feb 2017 Forecast scheme completion: 13 April 2017 We expect to complete work by midApril; however, all planned roadworks are subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. We will do our very best to complete the work as quickly as possible, keeping disturbances and noise to a minimum. This work is part of a series of essential bridge maintenance schemes across the region. We will complete this scheme before a similar but much larger scheme gets under way on the M5 J1-2 Oldbury viaduct. Traffic management will be 24/7 with a stepped speed limit from 70 – 50 – 40 mph through the work area. There are a number of phases of traffic management, with each phase designed to maximise available carriageway capacity during operational periods. The traffic management has been designed to mitigate the impact upon junction 7. By leaving the slips to function as near normal as we can, we will facilitate and mitigate the impact upon our neighbouring Local Authority networks. There will be further overnight lane closures and full closures to undertake the bulk activities such as surfacing. Monday to Friday Daytime (06.00 to 22.00hrs) – operating as 3 lanes 28
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• • •
3 narrow lanes M6 n/b M6 n/b diverge to M5 s/b open M6 jct 7 n/b entry merge with M6 n/b mainline open M6 n/b h/s closed M6 jct 7 n/b exit slip open M6 jct 7 n/b entry slip open
• M6 n/b lane 3 ONLY running • M6 n/b diverge to M5 s/b open Or • full M6 n/b closures – traffic to be diverted to M5 jct 2
Monday to Friday Night time (22.00 to 06.00hrs) • M6 jct 7 n/b entry will be closed and Either • M6 n/b lane 3 ONLY running • M6 n/b diverge to M5 s/b open Or • full M6 n/b closures – traffic to be diverted to M5 jct 2
M6 n/b main carriageway For full closures of the M6 n/b motorway traffic will be diverted via the M5 s/b to jct 2 for the return journey back to M6 jct 8 (by the RAC building). Alternatively, motorists may wish to exit at jct 7 and then use the A34 diversion through Walsall.
• • •
Weekends - daytime ( Sat 08:00 – 22:00, Sunday 09:00 – 22:00) • 2 narrow lanes running daytime • M6 n/b diverge to M5 s/b open • M6 jct 7 n/b exit slip open • M6 jct 7 n/b entry slip closed
Diversions
From Birmingham Traffic travelling north and wishing to access the M5 s/b, to be advised of jct 7 closure, and will be diverted from the A34 at Scott Arms / A4041 / A4031 / A41 to M5 jct 1.
Weekend – night time - Friday night 22.00 to Saturday morning 08.00hrs • M6 jct 7 n/b entry will be closed and Either • M6 n/b lane 3 ONLY running • M6 n/b diverge to M5 s/b open Or • full M6 n/b closures – traffic to be diverted to M5 jct 2
Traffic that ignores the advice at Scott Arms and still tries to join the M6 n/b at jct 7, will be diverted along the A34 / A4158 / A454 to jct 10 of the M6
Sunday night 22.00 to Monday morning 06.00hrs • M6 jct 7 n/b entry will be closed and Either
Traffic that decides to return north along the A34 will be diverted along the A34/A4158 / A454 to jct 10 of the M6. www.highwaysengland.co.uk
From Walsall Traffic travelling south along the A34 to jct 7 wishing to access the M5 will be diverted along the A34 at Scott Arms / A4041 / A4031 / A41 to M5 jct 1
Southside Spring
Wedding Fayre Sunday 2nd April 2017 Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm At Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, B5 4EW Free Entry Free Goodie Bag Wedding Discounts & Offers Free Tasters 25 Exhibitors With 25 of the region’s best wedding businesses under one roof at the newly refurbished Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre. You will get the opportunity to meet wedding suppliers face to face, view their services, try their products and chat about your wedding needs with the experts. To register to attend the event please email events@gemmedia.co.uk, visit eventbrite and search for Southside Spring Wedding Fayre, call GEM Media on 0121 422 2249 or Sheila Kelly-Trow on 07827 909 643. Organisers: GEM Media in Association with Southside BID Venue: Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre Venue Phone Number: 0121 634 6200 Venue Website: www.hibirmingham.co.uk
What’s On Spring 2017 Dance A Room for All Our Tomorrows Dance Exchange 23/3/2017 8pm £10 (£8 concessions) www.danceexchange.org.uk Dance Sampled Birmingham Hippodrome 3-4/03/2017 8pm £5-£15
Art/Science Genecraft: Art in the Biogenetic Age Birmingham Open Media Feb 22 - May 13 2017 Various FREE www.bom.org.uk Genecraft Biohack Birmingham Open Media 29/4/2017 11-5pm £15 www.bom.org.uk
Cabaret Big Name Cabaret Village Inn Every Friday 9.00pm www.villagebirmingham.co.uk
Comedy Jerry (The King) Lawler Glee Club 15/3/2017 7pm £30 (advance VIP £75) www.glee.co.uk Marcel Luchont Glee Club 7/4/2017 8pm £14 (£12 students) www.glee.co.uk Sara Pascoe Old Rep Theatre 29/4/2017 7.30pm £12 www.oldreptheatre.co.uk
Rosalind Dance Exchange 06-07/04/17 8pm £14 (£10 concessions) www.danceexchange.org.uk Imbalance Dance Exchange 26-27/04/17 8pm £14 (£10 concessions) www.danceexchange.org.uk
Film Flatpack Film Festival Various 6-9/04/2017 Various www.flatpack.org.uk Jackie Electric Cinema 7-8/03/2017 Various From £9.50 www.theelectric.co.uk Beauty & The Beast Electric Cinema 17-30/03/2017 Various From £9.50 www.theelectric.co.uk Twelfth Night (NT LIVE) Electric Cinema 6/4/2017 7pm £17.90 and up www.theelectric.co.uk
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Spotlight | Spring 2017
The Orielles Sunflower Lounge 20/4/2017 7.30pm £7 advance www.thesunflowerlounge.com
Nightclubs
Music The Unthanks Glee Club 26/4/2017 8pm £20 (advance) www.glee.co.uk The Wailers O2 Academy 15/3/2017 7pm £23.62 and up academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham/academybirmingham Ne Yo O2 Academy 6/4/2017 7pm £55.12 and up academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham/academybirmingham British Sea Power O2 Academy 13/4/2017 7pm £18 and up academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham/academybirmingham
Glittershit The Nightingale 24/3/2017 10pm til late www.nightingaleclub.co.uk Circle Sundays Levana Every Sunday 10pm til late FREE www.levanabar.co.uk Tin Tins Reunion Chic Nightclub 13/4/2017 10pm til late £5 advance www.twitter.com/chic_club
Theatre Theatre New Work Nights: Happy Hour Old Rep Theatre 1/3/2017 £12 (£8 Concessions) www.oldreptheatre.co.uk
Billy Elliott the Musical Birmingham Hippodrome 07/03/2017- 29/04/2017 Times vary From £25 www.birminghamhippodrome.com/ calendar/billy-elliot/ Noise Old Rep Theatre 13-15/04/2017 Times vary £10 (£8 Concessions) www.oldreptheatre.co.uk Buddy Holly Experience New Alexandra Theatre 28/03/2017-01/04/2017 Times vary From £20.40 www.atgtickets.com/shows/ buddy-the-buddy-holly-story/newalexandra-theatre-birmingham/ Tamburlaine Old Rep Theatre 21/4/2017 7.30pm £12 (£10 Concessions) www.oldreptheatre.co.uk Sing a Long a Frozen Birmingham Hippodrome 1/5/2017 Times vary £10-15 www.birminghamhippodrome.com/ calendar/sing-long-frozen/
Malarkey Sunflower Lounge 4/3/2017 8pm £8 advance www.thesunflowerlounge.com Georgie Sunflower Lounge 4/4/2017 7.30pm £6 advance www.thesunflowerlounge.com Spring 2017 |
Spotlight
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