The Spotted Dog’s license is up for renewal soon.  I urge anyone watching to write to Birmingham City Council in support of the pub.

If I reader could tell me who to contact, and the addresses I will post the details.

Video originally posted by Rich Batsford.

The hotel will between Island House and Masshouse, a part of the City Park Gate development.

Here’s news of a fantastic exhibition we’re running from 23rd April to the 30th May 2009, in collaboration with US company Touchable Stories Friction Arts’

The exhibition is navigated in a tour group of 12 people at a time, who are met by an artist-facilitator and then left to explore the exhibition alone.

The tour proceeds through the rooms and visitors are encouraged to delve into the exhibition. At the end of the tour the audience sit down at a dinner table for refreshments and a short facilitated discussion about the experience.

Lee Griffiths, co-director of Friction Arts, said: “Echoes from the Edge will be the first stage in a three-year project to accurately reflect a unique, historical area as it undergoes its biggest changes for 50 years.

“The long-term ambition is to create a community-inspired, living history museum in the neighbourhood, which grows and changes with its environment.”
Booking in advance is essential and places are limited to 12 spaces for each tour of the installation. You can book individual or group places in a number of ways these include via the website at www.frictionarts.com/bookings, email us at info[AT]frictionarts.com or call us on 0121 772 6160

Ding, ding, ding!  I’m your bus conductor @simonhowes.  Mr. Whitby has offered his bus to the users of Twitter. 

The Game

Rules are simple:

1. You get on the #whitbybus at the stop you get picked up from by the person who nominated you (read on it will make sense)
2. You move the #whitbybus to a new location by placing a new push-pin on the Google Map.  This could be anywhere around the West Midlands, I did hear Whitby ventured to the Black Country once upon a time.
3. Give the push-pin a name of where you have stopped, and write who you are and other information such as your blog http address.  Also, give some fun fact, story, or anything else about where you have stopped in your push-pin.
4. At the end of your push-pin, you need to choose another person to get on the bus, include there Twitter names and also tweet them “@xxxx the #whitbybus has stopped in at xxxx rules: http://tinyurl.com/crhsz8″. Example, “@bounder the #whitbybus has stopped at Eastside. rules: http://tinyurl.com/crhsz8″.
5. People who are tagged start from rule 1.

All important link to the map.

To the annoyance of @citizensheep a second bus has been loaned to us. Sorry!  There are two buses currently in the system.

Help, how do I edit the map?

You can watch the video of how to edit the map on the google map’s support page. If you haven’t got a google account, add a comment to this post with the location and details and I will add it to the map, then pass to a new Twitter user as usual.

Have fun!

Where has the bus been?

I will be keeping a time table of where the bus has been.

Bus number 1

Credit to the Birmingham Post.

As the debate rages over how a vibrant Digbeth can live side by side with new residential developments, Simon Jones, managing director of The Factory Club and co-director of Custard Factory Spaces, asks whether Birmingham City Council is really committed to providing space for creativity in the area.

Birmingham is under construction. Regeneration zones have been outlined, international investment sourced, strategic partners identified and the appropriate consultations made.

The Big City Plan has been presented and key areas such as The Jewellery Quarter, Southside and Digbeth (Eastside) have been highlighted as essential to the growth of the city.

After more than a decade of debate we all finally know what Birmingham needs to establish itself as a “global competitor”. Good, so we’re all happy and ready to go then? Well maybe.

In case you’ve been asleep for the past ten years, I’ll briefly recap.

In 2006 Birmingham City Council consulted Professor Michael Parkinson from Liverpool John Moores University on how to approach Birmingham’s multi-billion pound facelift.

In 2007 he submitted his Visioning the City Centre Masterplan report, identifying five key areas of a successful city: Innovation and skills, economic and cultural diversity, connectivity, strong leadership and quality of place.

Then in August that year, Urban Initiatives were brought in to shape Professor Parkinson’s City Centre Masterplan into a cohesive strategy that would “involve communities and business in helping to recreate and revitalise Birmingham”.

This is The Big City Plan, which city council leader Coun Mike Whitby calls his “Chamberlain moment” and the blueprint for progressive development in our city.

Unfortunately, this is also the start of a war of attrition between new developers coming into these key areas and those already carving out the culture of the city.

Initially, The Big City Plan’s focus on Eastside was like manna from heaven to the independent operators in the area, and it looked as if Digbeth would finally receive the public sector support needed to establish the “new creative quarter” that Birmingham City Council’s website promises it to be. Unfortunately, like any long-term relationship, promises got forgotten.

It seems that the people responsible for selling Birmingham as an investment are prepared to meet their targets at the expense of the city’s existing operators – even the ones that already provide the “cultural and recreational facilities” highlighted in The Big City Plan’s Global Themes.

Southside was the ground for a major battle between The Nightingale Club and Crosby Homes over their proposed Bradford Street apartments.

Jewellery Quarter restaurants have been warned about their operations affecting residents in the area, and now Digbeth venues are under attack from very individual complaints.

On each occasion the city council has started from a one-sided position, blindly backing the property developers and leaving the responsibility of bringing together local people and organisations within these “key development areas” to the independent operator.

OK. Fine. Whatever needs to be done for the “ambitious and far-reaching development and regeneration” of the city. After all, we’re all in this together, right?

Well wrong apparently, as the cost for accommodating these new neighbours has been given in full to the existing venues.

The independent businesses are already contributing to the economic impact of the region and cannot walk away if things simply are not going their way.

At this point I would like to refer to the “strong leadership” and “cultural diversity” Professor Michael Parkinson identified in his five key areas of a successful city.

As Graham Edwards, CEO of the East Birmingham and North Solihull Regeneration Zone (EBNS), said: “Following our formation in 2004, we quickly recognised the potential of the growing creative sector in Digbeth and identified it as one of our key strategic areas for targeting regeneration funds,” but venues such as The Rainbow, The Spotted Dog and the Custard Factory are facing closure due to financially unachievable demands.

While Coun Clive Dutton, Birmingham City Council’s Director of Planning and Regeneration, very sensibly declared: “It’s important that Digbeth is not over-planned, otherwise it will suffocate, the trick will be allowing the place to thrive without losing its character,” the office down the hall is dispatching Noise Abatement Orders and sticking their head in a big bucket of sand.

Attending a recent Big City Plan meeting Kent Davis, licensee of The Rainbow, talked to residents who were allegedly affected by the noise pollution in Digbeth.

Of those concerned enough to turn up, nearly all were sympathetic to the problems faced by businesses and residents cohabiting in a mixed use areas.

In a recent article in the Birmingham Post, Adam Crossley, chairman of the Digbeth Residents’ Association, said: “It’s flabbergasting, to be honest. Everybody I speak to is in support of the pubs. It’s quite infuriating, as we could end up living in a Digbeth with no pubs and no venues.”

So who exactly are Birmingham City Council looking after?

One way or another these debates are far from over.

It is understood that significant changes are needed in any collaborative regeneration, but communication and financial support are needed too.

If the city can raise more than £15million for the refurbishment of Digbeth Coach Station, then there has to be a way of using the municipal kitty for other development issues in the area.

But who am I to tell you what is what?

All of the quotes in this article, unless stated otherwise, have been taken from The Big City Plan and its website.

They are the promises made by Birmingham City Council to you, the public.

On the website there is also an opinion poll, asking Birmingham the following: “Creative and cultural organisations will play a key part in Birmingham’s future success. How do we work with this sector to provide the appropriate support and spaces in which they can develop?”

A very pertinent question, but I have to wonder, do they really care about the answer?

So, what was wrong? Turns out to be a leaky roof.  The now defunct McLean failed to ever sort it, they only made cosmetic repairs.  It appears the roof has been built by cowboys, with many holes, plenty of patches and gallons of mastic.

Posted in Masshouse Tagged: Birmingham, birminghamuk, Masshouse ]]> http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/masshouse-features-on-itvs-new-homes-from-hell-2009/feed/ 1 Simon screengrab 227 by howesey2007. screengrab 234 by howesey2007. screengrab 256 by howesey2007. screengrab 254 by howesey2007. screengrab 236 by howesey2007. screengrab 239 by howesey2007. screengrab 251 by howesey2007. screengrab 237 by howesey2007. screengrab 238 by howesey2007. screengrab 258 by howesey2007. screengrab 250 by howesey2007. http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/etna-house-damage/ http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/etna-house-damage/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:06:26 +0000 Simon http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/?p=376 ]]> Ouch, this looks bad.  I’ll e-mail Watkin Jones to see if I can get a response. Click image for larger version.

Property Week,

MIPIM 2009: Brum developer plans £125m tower
14:43 | 09.03.09
By Jennifer Rigby

Midlands developer Regal Property Group has unveiled plans for one of Birmingham’s largest towers, which it plans to build on Broad Street in the city.

It will announce at MIPIM 2009 in Cannes this week that it plans to make its proposals to Birmingham City Council at the next cabinet meeting on 19 March and submit a planning application in May.

The tower will be designed by Aedas and include a hotel, retail, leisure and residential on the site next to Brindleyplace. It will also feature the city’s highest bar at the top of the tower.

Regal Property managing director Roger Holbeche said: ‘Regal Tower will be one of Birmingham’s tallest buildings and is set to alter the city’s skyline.

‘Regal Property Group is committed to the continued development of Birmingham’s Westside and the ongoing success of the city.’

Subject to planning approval, work is expected to start in 2010, with completion in 2013.

Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: ‘The continued commitment we are seeing from developers and investors, even in these uncertain times, is very encouraging and I believe testament to the long-term stable opportunities that this growing city has to offer.’

InvestBX

Midlands developer Regal Property Group has chosen MIPIM 2009 to announce that its long anticipated £125m mixed-use Regal Tower is set to go ahead in Birmingham.

Regal managing director Roger Holbeche said the proposals were being unveiled to Birmingham City Council’s next cabinet meeting on Thursday, March 19, and that the company would be submitting a planning application in May.

The proposed tower on a prime site on the corner of Broad Street and Sheepcote Street, next to Brindleyplace, is designed by internationally renowned architects Aedas and will include a hotel, retail, leisure and city living. Roger Holbeche said: “Regal Tower will be one of Birmingham’s tallest buildings and is set to alter the city’s skyline with its inspirational design.

It will provide the highest fine dining and drinking venue in the city within its premier sky bar.

Pledging the company’s continued commitment to the city, he said he believed that despite the current downturn, those developers that remained focused on the available opportunities in Birmingham would benefit in the long-term.

He continued: “Regal Property Group is committed to the continued development of Birmingham’s Westside and the ongoing success of the city. “Regal Tower represents an exciting project for Broad Street and the city as a whole, with the scheme contributing £125million of new investment at a time when the economy is experiencing a recession. “Regal Tower responds to the Big City Plan’s ambition for more tall buildings in Birmingham and we are delighted to be able to contribute to that agenda with this strategic site.

We are continuing to work closely with Birmingham City Council to work up the development proposals and plan to go out to public consultation during April, with a planning application following during May.” Subject to planning approval, work on site is expected to commence in early 2010, with the three-year build programme set for completion in early 2013.

The project will create a significant number of construction jobs for Birmingham people. The mix of leisure uses within Regal Tower has been designed to complement Brindleyplace and the additional office buildings situated on Broad Street, Five Ways roundabout and the rest of Westside. Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The continued commitment we are seeing from developers and investors, even in these uncertain times, is very encouraging and I believe testament to the long-term stable opportunities that this growing city has to offer.”

Copyright 2009, Newsco Insider Limited

Photos by John (please contact me so I can give full credits)

Posted in Multi Storey Car Park Tagged: Birmingham, birminghamuk, carpark, Eastside, Millennium Point, millenniumpoint ]]> http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/eastside-multi-storey-car-park/feed/ 4 Simon DSCF2655 by you. DSCF2668 by you. DSCF2671 DSCF2670 DSCF2656 DSCF2666 http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/euro-fun-park-is-back-for-2009/ http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/euro-fun-park-is-back-for-2009/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:13:26 +0000 Simon http://eastsideblog.wordpress.com/?p=355 ]]> Ahh, it is that time of year again, when Eastside becomes a fun fair.  Just think what it would be like when VTP200 is built.  Oh, let’s get to the chase, here are the details:

(Photos by Tom)

Euro Fun Park, Birmingham

Opposite Millennium Point, Curzon Street

Thursday Feb 12th until Sunday 22nd Feb 2009

Open Daily 1pm-9pm, last entry 8pm

Unlimited Rides for £5.99

Children under 1 metre £2.00

Link to the Euro Fun Park.

Michael Donnelly, PlanningResource, 10 February 2009

Plans have been submitted for the £180m redevelopment of Birmingham’s Digbeth area.
Kuwaiti based Salhia Investments plans to build a 27-storey office tower, shops, cafes and housing.

The Beorma Quarter is a 57,000 square metre development designed by international architect Trevor Horne of Trevor Horne Associates and opens up the largely disused 1.77-acre site with new public access and open space.

Alastair Grills Associates submitted the application on behalf of Salhia and subject to approval; work is expected to start by the end of 2009 and to be completed in three stages by 2012.

Salhia representative Keith Williams said: “This fully-funded scheme will be a much-needed boost for development in Birmingham. We’re really excited at the prospect of delivering this forward looking proposal that celebrates the unique heritage of the historic heart of the city.

“Alongside this, we will create jobs for the construction industry and when completed will provide headquarters for blue-chip companies as well as helping start-up businesses with the opportunity to develop and grow.”

Thank you Simon Felton for the tip.

“It’s abominable. It’s like a punch in the face by an architectural fist. It has no relation to place or location, it is out of scale with the buildings around it. It’s like something from Alice in Wonderland, a place where the normal rules don’t apply.”

After reading the original post at the Birmingham Mail, the people who seem to be complaining are those who hate any new building above 4 storeys anyway.

Only problem I find with this tower is it screams Manchester – huge dull glass boxes which seem to win lots of awards.

Application number is C/00295/09/FUL (click here and enter the number manually).

Here is a snip:

Date application received
23/01/2009

Date application registered
23/01/2009

Status
Under Consultation

Location
123-143 Digbeth, 3-5 Park Street, 81-93 Alison Street, and adjoining land, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR

Proposal
Mixed use development comprising refurbishment of the Digbeth Coldstore building, 135-136 and 137 Digbeth, façade of 138 and 139 Digbeth and construction of three new blocks including a 27 storey tower to provide shops, offices, restaurant and cafe (A1, A2 and A3), business space (B1), residential (C3) and exhibition space (D1), together with an energy centre using an aquifer thermal energy storage system (ATES), basement parking and creation of new landscape areas.

Report of the Chairman of the Planning Committee to Council

Digbeth Coldstore – a planning application is expected early this year for a mixed use development in Digbeth, comprising the refurbishment of buildings and their facades, including the Digbeth Coldstore, and a 27 storey tower to provide shops, professional services, restaurant/café, business space, residential and exhibition centre. The scheme also proposes a new energy centre utilising an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system, basement parking and creation of new landscaping areas. Subject to all the necessary consents being agreed, work could start later in the year.

Of interest is the rescued JFK memorial that was situated near to St Chad’s cathedral will be situated near to the car park.

Here are some rendered images,

What’s On this weekend and next week at the Custard Factory:

Walsall College exhibit Winter Show - Artists from Walsall exhibit their finest – sure to warm our wintry cockles all week long.

Encore Cabaret Show – an extravaganza of show-stoppers, song and all things hummable, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society. Tickets are rapidly selling out, so be quick!

Young Actors Company – UK-renowned drama school run regular training master-classes every Saturday morning. Tap into the talent within!

Chuckles Comedy Workshops – get your chuckle muscles working with these many-smiles-per-mile-guaranteed classes. I’m smirking just typing this!

I have also found a useful link at mainstaystudent.co.uk, which includes photos.  They even have a FaceBook group.  Oo, they have a show home, I should visit.

More disused units, most possible that they will get bulldozed.  With nobody having the guts to build there way out of the world recession, I believe it’s going to be a long time ’til we see something.

Quotes from the Birmingham Mail article:

The company known as W Canning – but now owned by US conglomerate MacDermid Inc – was founded in 1785 and is developing an 83,000 sq ft research and manufacturing base on a five-acre brownfield site in Small Heath.

All 100 existing jobs will be preserved by the relocation from its present Bordesley site and, despite the ongoing economic volatility, the workforce is expected to expand after the move, which is on course for summer 2009.

……

The former Bordesley plant was located within the area designated as Eastside, Europe’s largest urban regeneration scheme, and it took many months and much negotiation to agree that the company would look for a new site and relocate by 2009.

Phasey says the current city council, and its Locate in Birmingham arm, have both been very helpful in the firm’s attempts to find suitable premises.

“We didn’t want to leave Birmingham, as it was unlikely that our entire skilled workforce would be able to relocate with us. We did consider Redditch, but when we heard about the Small Heath site, it sounded ideal,” he said. “We knew AWM had bought the site for employment purposes, but when we saw the old BSA factory and realised how much work was needed, we did start to think again.

RSS Feed

If anyone wants any other search terms added please comment.

The RSS feed can also be found on the lower part of the right column of each page.