What it’s really like to live & work in Stirchley in Birmingham - one of the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods

The city of Birmingham is in vogue - recent years have seen it turn into an attractive and trendy place. The Commonwealth Games and Peaky Blinders shone a spotlight on what the region has to offer. And this year sees Stirchley included in Time Out Magazine’s 12 coolest neighbourhoods in the UK - and it’s made it into the Sunday Times list of best places to live in the UK and Midlands

Stirchley was chosen by Time Out magazine largely for its range of artisan food and drink options which have sprung up over recent years. Craft beers, pizzas, handcrafted fudge and freshly baked loaves adorn the shop windows along the High Street.

It is in good company. Also making the 12 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK list is: Cliftonville in Margate; Shawlands in Glasgow; Walthamstow in London; the Northern Quarter in Manchester; Kelham Island in Sheffield; Ouseburn in Newcastle; Llandaff in Cardiff; Baltic Triangle in Liverpool; Southside in Edinburgh; Chapel Allerton in Leeds; and Seven Dials in Brighton.

The latest Sunday Times ranked Stirchley alongside Digbeth among the Best Places to live in the Midlands. The guide said: “Stirchley offers value in its unflashy terraced houses, a good local primary and excellent transport and a high street bursting with interesting places to eat and drink, from the artisan bakery Loaf, stylish and delicious Eat Vietnam and Couch, a friendly neighbourhood bar that also serves serious cocktails.”

So what would the residents of Stirchley recommend for visitors to the area? Victoria, owner of Caneat Cafe, says: “You know, it’s being redeveloped in areas around the High Street, which has allowed lots of little independents to run. We’ve been here five years, and it’s like, changed massively over those five years. I feel like people are helping us out. And there’s lots of variety.”

Jacob from Eat Vietnam says: “So we’ve got a lot of cool bars, really nice restaurants, and it’s a variety. So it’s not just standard, just all like curry houses like it used to be. So there’s a lot of diversity within the community, and it’s just popping off.”

Bobby Lewis owner of Imbue Art Studio says: “You’ve got Eat Vietnam - I know there’s a new restaurant opening next week - Yardbirds -which I think would be really cool. You’ve got Caneat, which is great for breakfast, brunch, that sort of thing. Alicia’s Pizza, great pizzeria. I’ll probably get in trouble for missing some people off but that’s sort of off the top of my head!”