11 things Brummies want for the city in 2023 - from better housing to appreciation for our accent

As much as Brummies love their multicultural city, they also want it to grow and thrive, and here are 11 things that they want in 2023
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The second city has much to offer to residents and visitors. Whether you are looking for beautiful parks, canals, or entertainment. You can enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life and quiet reflection of the countryside in and around Birmingham.

But, while there is much that is great about Birmingham there are a few things that us Brummies feel need to change to make our city thrive even more. This culturally diverse city can become a real place for amazing opportunities and growth for the right people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As much as Brummies love their multicultural city, they also want it become even better - here are 11 things that we want for Birmingham in 2023 - please let us know if there are any more we should add:

1. More affordable housing 

Birmingham has an acute shortage of housing across all sizes and tenure type, according to the Birmingham City Council website.

In October 2022, West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor Andy Street unveiled new Investment Zones. He shared the ‘Levelling Up Growth Prospectus’ which focuses on housing and regeneration as well.

There are projects like the Perry Barr residential regeneration project that are ongoing that will add thousands of homes in the next couple of decades. However, there is great demand for affordable housing now and people are struggling to get on the property ladder.

Perry Barr residential regenerationPerry Barr residential regeneration
Perry Barr residential regeneration

2. More arts facilities 

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are amazing musicals to be seen in Birmingham and with The Lion King show coming here in 2023, it has added to the cultural landscape. However, the city would benefit from more arts facilities and investment.

While the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Symphony Hall, the Town Hall, Utilita Arena and Resorts World Arena have a variety of entertainment options - the arts and entertainment industry in the region would get a push with more investment here.

3. Birmingham City to win the championship 

There would be nothing greater than seeing Birmingham City F.C. win the Champions league and Brummies hope that day would come soon. Loyal fans have never given up hope for the club.

4. Aston Villa to win the Premier League

If Brummies want the Blues to the championship, they also want Aston Villa F.C. to win the Premier League. Locals have faith in the two football clubs, after all Aston Villa has won the Premier League seven times already and they can surely do it again!

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Cameron Archer of Aston Villa runs ahead of Joao Palhinha of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on October 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Cameron Archer of Aston Villa runs ahead of Joao Palhinha of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on October 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Cameron Archer of Aston Villa runs ahead of Joao Palhinha of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on October 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

5. Better transportation

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The HS2, Pineapple Road Station in Stirchley and Moseley Village Station are expected to improve connectivity for the city. The metroworks are ongoing and are expected to serve over 80 tram stops, more than 20 transport interchanges and link Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Digbeth, North Solihull, Birmingham Airport, the NEC and HS2.

More recently, changes to bus routes have taken place with more providers coming in to play as well. All of these initiatives are going forward while also keeping in mind to make the region net-zero carbon.

Some residents want the tram to go up to Birmingham airport.

6. More cycle lanes 

There are many people keen to switch to cycling as a mode of transport. For those people, Birmingham City Council has made it possible to hire cycles. You can see the map of docking stations for cycles that can be hired on the West Midlands Cycle Hire website.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the city doesn’t have enough cycle paths with many calling Birmingham unsafe for cyclists as well. A council spokesperson had previously told BirminghamWorld: “We are of course fully committed to improving cycling facilities and other sustainable transport options in the city, in conjunction with partners at a regional and national level – as is evidenced by the development of new cycle routes and bike hire services.”

7. Reasonably priced food 

With the cost of living crisis, food costs have gone up significantly and pushed people to access food banks as they are unable to afford this necessity. 14938 is the number of parcels for adults given out by the Trussell Trust between April and September 2022. The total number of parcels given out during that period, including children, is 23,424.

While Birmingham City Council has made almost £500,000 worth of grants available to food banks, food clubs, food pantries, social supermarkets, and community cafes people are still struggling.

The supermarket vouchers will be for those families who are entitled to income-related free school mealsThe supermarket vouchers will be for those families who are entitled to income-related free school meals
The supermarket vouchers will be for those families who are entitled to income-related free school meals

8. More recognition for the hospitality industry & the excting restaurants and bars

Birmingham’s hospitality industry has created a name for itself with multiple restaurants in the Michelin guide and being named the most exciting food destination in the Good Food Guide in 2022.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Around half a dozen restaurants in and around the city have received a Michelin star and around a dozen pubs were named in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide as well.

9. Less council tax

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had announced in April 2022 local councils in England and Wales could increase council tax by 5% without a referendum but that is not what the residents of the city want.

Charity Citizens Advice Birmingham said that if you live in Birmingham and are claiming Universal Credit, you can also claim Council Tax Support from Birmingham City Council.

10. Recognition for the amazing tap water

It’s no joke how good Birmingham tap water is and many residents agree. One resident said on Twitter: “Disliking the taste of Birmingham tap water is a sign of an unsophisticated palate.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another added: “Birmingham tap water is genuinely God tier.”

The water is supplied by Severn Trent and it comes all the way from Wales’ Elan Valley.

Tap water of Birmingham is one of the tastiest (Photo - Unsplash. Manu Schwendener)Tap water of Birmingham is one of the tastiest (Photo - Unsplash. Manu Schwendener)
Tap water of Birmingham is one of the tastiest (Photo - Unsplash. Manu Schwendener)

11. Much-deserved appreciation for the Brummie accent 

The Brummie accent gets some flak but the dialect deserves to be preserved. If Peaky Blinders’ fame is anything to go by, that accent is not something to be ridiculed. OK the actors may not have replicated it quite as well as we would have liked in the early days, but Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby smashed it in the end. And who doesn’t love those dulcet tones from the likes of Alison Hammond. That OK bab. Now it’s time for us to 0121.

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.