Birmingham nightlife bosses list six key things the city ‘desperately needs’

There are six essential things Birmingham desperately needs to thrive, according to two leading city center nightlife bosses. Lawrence Barton, Nighttime Economy Champion for Birmingham City Council and Chair of the Southside Business Improvement District (BID), joined Westside BID CEO Mike Olley to share six things he hopes to discuss with the newly elected mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker. .

Broad Street, Brindleyplace, Five Ways, Centenary Square and Broadway Plaza are among the busy places that fall within the Westside BID, while the Southside encapsulates Chinatown, the LGBTQIA+ District and Arcadian. In twin posts on both BID websites, leaders agreed Birmingham needed night buses as part of the mayor’s pledge to bring buses back into public control, with Mr Barton saying there was a “desperate need” to bring customers and staff home on public transport after midnight. .

In addition to night buses, the pair called for investment in regional culture and festivals that “specifically serve LGBTG+ communities” and called for financial and other support for small businesses to be easier to access.

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Mr Barton and Olley also called for “increased quality marketing of the town and the region as a whole” in the hope of boosting visitors and gaining inward investment, as well as calling for more resources to be channeled through business improvement districts to “make priorities happen rather than wasting funds on external bodies that don’t always deliver”.

The sixth priority highlighted by bosses focused in particular on issues surrounding the Electric Cinema and The Crown on Station Street, cultural assets which are at risk from “uncontrolled residential development”.

The pair say they are “looking forward to sitting down” with Richard Parker to discuss the “urgent” plans. Mr Barton said: “I met Richard a number of times before the election and he always made it clear that he was willing to listen to my priorities for the night time economy.

“We desperately need night buses to get staff and customers home safely after midnight and this should now become a real possibility when Richard brings them back under public control. We want more investment in our culture and festivals to make it easier for smaller businesses. access to assistance and to stop the uncontrolled development of apartments and flats.

“We welcome Richard’s willingness to meet and look forward to meeting with him very soon to discuss these urgent plans in detail.”

Mr Olley said he agreed with Lawrence Barton’s priorities. He said: “Currently there are too many outside organizations and remote council departments without the in-depth knowledge or ability to help the nightlife sector. Let’s make these things happen by increasing the role of BIDs who already work closely every day with grassroots businesses. and the communities involved.

“We know what needs to happen and how to get it done, but now we need Richard Parker’s support to help make it a reality.”

Richard Parker said he was “grateful” to the pair for highlighting the six issues, adding: “A vibrant night-time economy is key to the social and economic fabric of the West Midlands.”

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