‘We don’t want it to end’- Birmingham businesses boom during Commonwealth Games

Businesses in the city have been feeling the positive impact of the Commonwealth Games over the last few days
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

There’s no doubt that the Commonwealth Games is giving Birmingham the opportunity to show the world what our great city has to offer.

Some establishments across the city have also been enjoying more business as the Games has attracted thousands of visitors from across the country and worldwide.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And independent traders have expressed their joy as their businesses have been thriving during the Games week. One of those businesses is Cow Vintage clothing store in Digbeth. The store’s manager, Abbey Beesley said Cow has been extremely busy over the last week.

People relax in Victoria Square in the city centre during Day One of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games People relax in Victoria Square in the city centre during Day One of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
People relax in Victoria Square in the city centre during Day One of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Speaking to BirminghamWorld, she said: “The past week has really benefited us. We’ve been so busy everyday - even on Monday and Tuesday when we’re usually really quiet we’ve been extremely busy, so yeah it’s really benefitted us.

“We get quite a mix of people come in here anyway, but with the Games going on we have had loads of different people from loads of different cities. We’ve had everyone in, it’s been great – I don’t want the week to end!”

‘We’ve noticed an uptick in trade’

Dave, the duty manager of Cherry Reds coffee house on John Bright Street, added: “I was here on the day of the opening ceremony and that was very busy in the day time because I think a lot of people got in to the city that day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve noticed it’s been busier in the mid-afternoon, that’s when we’ve seen a lot of business. We’re getting a fair bit in the day time. We’ve noticed a definite uptick in trade.”

The manager of the Lost and Found pub in Bennetts Hill also said they’ve had many more walk-ins. The pub’s manager Rebecca, said: “The walk-in trade has been quite busy. Since the Games started we’ve had more families coming in than usual.”

Cow Vintage, BirminghamCow Vintage, Birmingham
Cow Vintage, Birmingham

What has the Chambers of Commerce said about trade in the city during the Games?

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), said: “You only have to look at the crowds of people from all over the world gathering in Birmingham and the West Midlands at the moment to know that the Commonwealth Games have had a phenomenal and positive impact on the businesses that trade here.

“After all the trauma they suffered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Games have particularly provided a welcome opportunity for the hospitality and retail sectors to recover and this feel-good factor will be felt throughout all city and regional business communities. There will also be a hugely positive global impact thanks to the amazing media images beaming around the world.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The GBCC will be working hard to ensure that its members are in the best place to benefit from the global legacy that will be left from staging the Games by seeking out new markets in the 54 countries that make up the Commonwealth family.”

A message from the editor:

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.

Related topics:

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.