Fresh hopes Birmingham’s Station Street could become 'destination of choice'

There are fresh hopes Birmingham’s Station Street could become a “destination of choice” after the council’s new heritage strategy was unveiled.

Campaigners have been fighting to ‘save’ the city centre street and its venues, which includes the Electric Cinema and The Crown pub – known as the place where Black Sabbath performed their first gig.

But despite their historical importance, both venues remain vacant and closed to Brummies.

The city council, in its new heritage strategy, recognised the importance of the street however and acknowledged that it’s home to a “remarkable concentration of cultural heritage assets”.

“Together these buildings illustrate Birmingham’s nationally significant contribution to music, film, theatre and popular culture,” the strategy reads.

“[They] demonstrate how historic streets can continue to shape the city’s identity, visitor offer and sense of place.”

The strategy was discussed at a cabinet meeting this week, where Cllr Robert Alden (Conservative) asked whether more could be done to celebrate the history linked to the street and its venues.

“The strategy picks up Station Street in the city centre,” he said. “That is a pretty easy place to be able to pedestrianise.

“Given the history there, I do think that’s something the council should examine whether there is ways, perhaps with the [West Midlands Combined Authority] putting in funding, that we can turn that into a real destination of choice and celebrate the history.”

Cllr Deborah Harries (Liberal Democrats), the cabinet member overseeing culture, said Station Street has been a focus “for many months”.

“We’re having conversations about the whole of Station Street and the idea of it being a cultural street, not just focused on The Crown or The Electric or the other listed buildings,” she said.

[We’re discussing] whether pedestrianisation, semi-pedestrianisation or public realm is a way we can go forward.

“I’m not saying that we’re quite in Matthew Street realm of the Cavern in Liverpool but there is a street of cultural significance there.

“There has been a working group set up to look at it so please, you can take away that we are trying to move forward as best we can.”

On the wider importance of the new strategy, Cllr Harries said it would provide a framework for how the council will “conserve, celebrate and engage with Birmingham’s heritage” over the next five years.

“This strategy recognises that Birmingham’s heritage is one our greatest strengths,” she said, adding it is “not limited” to the most well-known landmarks and buildings.

“It includes the historic streets, parks, waterways, archives, industrial sites and cultural traditions that give every neighbourhood its distinct identity and sense of place,” she said.

She also said a particular strength of the strategy is the emphasis on local heritage sites, saying: “We know the buildings, places and landmarks that matter most to residents are not always nationally designated.

“This strategy commits us to strengthening and expanding Birmingham’s local heritage list.”

But Cllr Harries also highlighted the financial challenges faced by the council, telling Tuesday’s meeting: “In current funding situations, one needs to work with partners.

“We have huge capital restraints.”

Cllr Julien Pritchard (Green), the deputy leader of the council, acknowledged that the new heritage strategy was a “really good starting point” that could be built on in the future.

‘Take our story back’

The Save Station Street campaign welcomed the fact that the council’s new strategy used the street as a “case for culture-led regeneration” – but accepted it was a “single step forward”.

“Station Street defined a century of global pop culture,” they said. “No more ‘it’s just Brum’ or developer-led decay. Take our story back.”

Toyoko Inn, the owners of The Crown, has previously insisted that it has long-term plans to not only restore the pub but build a hotel too.

But their ownership of the historic pub has attracted controversy, with campaigners arguing there’s been a lack of progress at the site over the years.

Earlier this year, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker was asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service whether he still wants to see the pub restored in the future.

“I’ve been really explicit about it,” the Labour Mayor said. “I’ve met the owners of that location with the city council previously and my understanding was that plans are being put forward for the redevelopment of that […] so it can be restored and maintained in a sustainable way.

“[It’s a] wonderful heritage asset that’s such an important part of our musical heritage in the city and region.”

Asked if the new leadership at the city council – a coalition of Lib Dems, Greens and various independents – could represent a fresh opportunity for The Crown, Mr Parker said: “I always have hope.

“I know from previous discussions with [council leader Roger Harmer] he’s equally committed – as I am – to ensuring The Crown is restored, refurbished and then managed sustainably for decades ahead.”

On Toyoko Inn’s long-term plans for The Crown, a document from last year described the pub as a historically important site and said its new vision will “reflect and celebrate this heritage”.