Birmingham, a vibrant and culturally rich city, witnessed a series of important events in 2023 that affected residents and visitors alike.
From the council becoming effectively bankrupt to a host of new openings at the Bullring, the city witnessed worrying and optimistic times. As the beating heart of the West Midlands, Birmingham continues to evolve as a dynamic metropolis with so much more to come in 2024.
From new TV studios to major infrastructure developments in Birmingham city centre - there is much to look forward to, while we consider the events that have occurred over teh past 12 months. Here are 12 big things that happened in Birmingham in 2023:
1. Road collisions that turned the tide against cars
In 2023, road traffic collisions caused deaths, including children, and injuries. Residents and community organisations came together at various neighbourhoods to stage demonstrations and create awareness. Since then, West Midlands Police launched Operation Triton to tackle dangerous driving but residents want more to be done. Since August 2023, hundreds of careless and dangerous motorists have been caught by footage sent to the police by the public as part of a crackdown, according to West Midlands Combined Authority.
2. Birmingham City Council's bankruptcy
Birmingham City Council declared itself effectively bankrupt in 2023. After that, unions protested against cuts and job losses but also to ensure that prime sites in the city won't be sold off to pay the £760 million equal pay bill. Government commissioners have taken over the running of the council for as long as five years, if required. It is not yet known if the next money-saving steps from the council will jeopardise council-owned assets. (Photo - Martin O'Callaghan)
3. Birmingham's nighttime economy needs support
West Midlands' pubs, clubs, bars, concert venues, theatres and restaurants provide jobs to more than two thousand people. The sector has faced some rough years in the recent past and continues to struggle. According to Dr Matt Grimes, Course Leader of the Music Business BA (Hons) degree at Birmingham City University: "Music tourism in the West Midlands generates around £250m and supports 2400 jobs (UK Music), with the major share of that in Birmingham, therefore protecting and supporting live music has to be a priority."
4. Ladywood regeneration
A controversial plan for regenerating Ladywood, which would see large parts of it demolished, was not well received by residents of the neighbourhood. Local residents claim that there has not been any effective communication from the council. In the controversial Our Future City: Central Birmingham Framework, Birmingham City Council announced an ambitious plan to transform five key zones, including Ladywood. When residents wanted to understand the proposal better, several hundred were turned away at the first public meeting regarding the area’s future in July .