Birmingham 2022: Perry Barr container park won’t be ready for Commonwealth Games

The scheme has now been pushed back to later in the year
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A plan to use shipping containers in Perry Barr for leisure and commercial purposes will not be ready in time for the Commonwealth Games, it has been revealed.

The scheme has now been pushed back to later in the year with just two weeks remaining until the prestigious event takes place. City chiefs had initially said the container park would help to ‘maximise opportunities’ for the Games, with 14 containers being fitted with four big screens to show sports events and movies. Another 72 containers were to be added later.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But despite approving them just three months ago, the council said the decision to push them back was made in order to ‘maximise the positive impacts for tenants and visitors’. The latest word from the council is that the containers were never just about the Commonwealth Games, which are set to begin on July 28. Alexander Stadium, the brand new athletics hub in Perry Barr, is just down the road from the site and will be the focal point of sporting festivities this summer.

Rendered image of Perry Barr Container Park Phase 1&2, Galey Park on Walsall RoadRendered image of Perry Barr Container Park Phase 1&2, Galey Park on Walsall Road
Rendered image of Perry Barr Container Park Phase 1&2, Galey Park on Walsall Road

What has the city council said?

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “This project is about delivering a medium-term temporary use for the site in Perry Barr, providing activity and business opportunities ahead of its eventual redevelopment as much-needed housing for the people of Birmingham.

“To maximise the positive impact for tenants and visitors a decision has been taken to defer the opening of the site until later in the year.

“The temporary use will offer a range of attractions that will enhance the quality of life for existing and new residents of the area – and the later opening will more closely align with the start of the occupation of the new housing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This was never simply about use during the summer of 2022, and there are plenty of other great attractions in Perry Barr and the wider city for people to enjoy until the site opens.”

Rendered image of Perry Barr Container Park Phase 1 From North, Galey Park on Walsall RoadRendered image of Perry Barr Container Park Phase 1 From North, Galey Park on Walsall Road
Rendered image of Perry Barr Container Park Phase 1 From North, Galey Park on Walsall Road

Birmingham 2022 is on course to be the biggest and best-supported Commonwealth Games in history, with 1.2 million tickets already sold. The current record is 1.3 million sales at Glasgow in 2014.

Leader of the council Cllr Ian Ward said this week that the Games could attract a television audience of over one billion people. Up to one million visitors could also be heading for Birmingham later this month.

He added: “Even if you do not have a ticket, do come into the city centre and be part of a unique atmosphere created by the super diverse, young population of the city. Come and be a part of that at Smithfield or Victoria Square – both sites will have large screens, entertainment, and food and drink.”

A message from the editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.