Edgbaston Street's Bull Ring Indoor Market set to be demolished with major plans taking huge step forward

Traders were left anxious for their futures after they were told in September that the site of the Bull Ring Indoor Market in Edgbaston Street could be redeveloped.

Shoppers also reacted with sadness towards the idea of the market space being demolished after being part of the city’s fabric for so many years.

According to a planning application submitted later in the year, the proposed development could provide up to 745 apartments or up to 1,544 student bedrooms – or any combination of these uses.

Commercial space, car and cycle parking, new public realm works, a private central courtyard and roof-top terraces would also be provided if the plans are given the green light next week.

When traders received a letter about the plans, attention quickly turned to how they would be impacted and what the future could hold for them.

A council officer’s report, published this week, has shed some further light over what could happen to the market traders if the plans are approved and said it was “critical” to understand the council’s wider plans for markets in the city centre.

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It continued that plans have been proposed over the “short to medium term”, which include the construction of a temporary market on the former wholesale market site nearby.

“The intention is for indoor market traders to be decanted to the new facility,” it said. “The proposed new temporary market should be fully operational by the end of 2026 at the latest. It is important to note that the majority of traders within the existing indoor market have leases that run until September 2027.”

It continued that this should ensure there is plenty of time for a “smooth transition” to the new temporary market.

When it comes to a longer-term solution, the report said the ‘once in a generation’ Smithfield scheme could play a key role.

The huge project is set to transform the former Birmingham wholesale market site and includes proposals for a new market building.

“It is hoped that traders will move into the new permanent market building, which will be provided on the wider Smithfield site,” the report stated. “It is therefore clear that the proposed development would not have any adverse impact on the provision of market facilities.”

It added that the existing market building, constructed in the early 2000’s, is “of no particular architectural merit”.

“Therefore no design or heritage concerns are raised over its loss,” it said.

‘We want to work with the markets’

Hammerson, who owns the site and submitted the planning application, spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service last year and addressed concerns shortly after traders learned about the proposals.

Harry Badham, chief development and asset repositioning officer, confirmed that Hammerson would be working “very closely” with the city council with regards to the timelines for both this project and the Smithfield development.

Asked if there would also be efforts to update the market traders, Mr Badham said: “Absolutely – as we go through that process of consultation through the planning, we are very familiar with making sure we deal with the stakeholders and we manage that through the process.”

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He was also questioned about concerns over the loss of the historic market in the heart of Birmingham.

“Look, we understand the purpose of Birmingham as a retail centre,” he said. “Markets are clearly an absolute integral part of that. I should say the markets are not our direct relationship. That’s not to dismiss them at all, but it’s just to say that when we looked at this, we worked closely with the city.

“The city’s plan on how to consolidate the markets have been a key part of planning Smithfield.”

He added: “We want to work with the markets and consolidate the markets as a key node that sits on the Birmingham city centre map and integrates and reinforces what we do in the Bullring”.

In a later statement, he said the proposals could enhance the city and provide new homes and landscaping “that meet the aspirations of the city’s growth and its public realm”.

The council officer’s report concluded by saying that the proposed development would see the “delivery of a high-quality mixed-use scheme on brownfield land”.

“The agreed parameters would ensure that the development enhances the character of the area without harming the setting of any nearby heritage assets,” it continued.

“Furthermore, there would be no significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential occupiers and the development could provide an acceptable living environment for future occupiers”.

It added that the proposed development would also “significantly boost” the housing supply within the city.

The planning application will be considered at a meeting next Thursday, January 16, after being recommended for approval, subject to a legal agreement.