White Swan pub on Bradford Street in Digbeth, Birmingham, up for sale

Grade II-listed pub from Victorian era in Birmingham’s Irish Quarter for sale and its owners have announced that it is will be serving its last pint on Saturday, November 16
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A Victorian pub in Digbeth that real ale campaigners have lovingly redecorated is up for sale.

The White Swan, built between 1899 and 1900 by James & Lister Lea, occupies a prominent position at 276 Bradford Street at its junction with Birchall Street in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.

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It’s owners have announced on social media that it is closing its doors for one last time on Saturday, November 12) - just weeks after it made it into CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022 for the first time.

The impressive grade II-listed pub stands out in the city’s Irish quarter thanks to its red exterior brickwork, while inside its hallways are lined with Minton tiles and its walls decorated with Victorian tiles.

You might have spotted it on the ITV drama DI Ray with the lead character filmed popping in for a drink.

DI Ray scenes were filmed in the White Swan on Bradford Street, DigbethDI Ray scenes were filmed in the White Swan on Bradford Street, Digbeth
DI Ray scenes were filmed in the White Swan on Bradford Street, Digbeth

The building was badly vandalised in pre-Covid times but after a two-year closure and redecoration project it was restored and reopened last September.

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Real ale experts Nigel Barker, renowned for his pub The Wellington on Bennetts Hill, and Will Young, of The Woodman near the old Curzon Street station, worked with current owners SevenCapital who let them reopen the pub on a short-term, year-long lease.

The White Swan is currently on sale with Siddall Jones for offers in excess of £650,000. The listing shows it is currently under offer, but there is no information about whether the potential new owners want to retain it as a pub.

White Swan, DigbethWhite Swan, Digbeth
White Swan, Digbeth

What else is near to the White Swan?

The White Swan lies approximately one mile east of Birmingham city centre, within easy walking distance of the Bullring Shopping Centre.

The planned HS2 train terminal is also close by, while the new Metro station on Digbeth High Street will link to the city’s thriving leisure and business districts of Broad Street and Colmore Row.

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Digbeth itself boasts a thriving Creative Quarter with a wealth of start-ups at the Custard Factory. It’s also associated with the Peaky Blinders, apparently that is where their first recorded crime took place!

These days Digbeth has been hailed as one of the coolest places to live in Britain, featuring colourful street art, gaming venues and a thriving hospitality sector.

The Custard Factory which oozes inspiration with rich industrial heritage and present-day collection of independent shops, creative and digital businesses and events spaces.

A Peaky Blinders mural in Digbeth where Two Tone will be filmed at the new studioA Peaky Blinders mural in Digbeth where Two Tone will be filmed at the new studio
A Peaky Blinders mural in Digbeth where Two Tone will be filmed at the new studio

What have the property agents said about the White Swan sale?

Edward Siddall-Jones, director of top Birmingham commercial property agent Siddall Jones, said: “This historic pub with its wonderful designs is now fully working and is on the market with a price tag of in excess of £650,000.

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“The 3,705 sq ft property comprises a substantial detached building with a part terracotta and detailed brickwork façade beneath a pitched slate roof.

“The ground floor provides a large bar area and rear smoke room with toilets, stores and entrances from both Bradford Street and Birchall Street.

“Many character features are evident with Minton tiled flooring within the entrance hallways and exceptional Victorian wall tiling which also lines the stairwell.

“The upper floors comprise a variety of good-sized rooms formerly used as function rooms and a large manager’s flat, while the cellar benefits from generous height and is dry, providing excellent storage space.”

More details are available at: White Swan Digbeth or by calling Ed Siddall-Jones on 0121 638 0500.

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