Birmingham Leaders Urged to 'Get Ballsy' and Champion City's Future
Birmingham's civic leaders, influencers, and business chiefs must adopt a more assertive approach in promoting the city's 'brilliant' future or risk losing out to competitors across the country. This strong message emerged from a gathering of city business and civic leaders, who expressed concerns that Birmingham's tendency to 'self-deprecate' and 'focus on the negative' is jeopardizing vital investment and job opportunities.
Positive Developments Overshadowed by Negativity
Massive private investments in the city centre, the redevelopment of Digbeth into a creative quarter, plans for the East Birmingham Sports Quarter, the city's growing reputation as a life sciences hub, and extensive housing regeneration schemes are all achievements worthy of positive attention. However, these successes are often drowned out by negative headlines about issues like waste management and failures, meaning external observers—including potential global investors—sometimes see only the city's problems rather than its strengths.
At an event held at Birmingham Exchange in Centenary Square, around 100 business, civic, and cultural leaders agreed it is time to 'shift the dial'. The gathering marked the launch of Birmingham Colmore, a joint initiative by the Business Improvement Districts for Colmore and Southside, aimed at speaking with one voice to encourage city-wide opportunities and accelerate Birmingham's status as England's second city.
Councillor Cotton's Call for More 'Swagger'
Councillor John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, told attendees he is committed to promoting Birmingham but fears the Brummie tendency to self-deprecate is a hindrance. 'This is a city where there is an element of self-deprecation that sometimes is quite attractive, we don't swagger about—but we need a bit more swagger,' he said.
He highlighted the successful promotion of Birmingham during the 2022 Commonwealth Games but expressed disappointment that this momentum was not sustained. 'We need to together send out a clear message around Birmingham that talks up the great opportunities of the future, that talks us up as a place that's at the cutting edge of growth and innovation,' Cotton urged.
He called for championing life sciences opportunities, the cultural quarter in Digbeth, collaboration through the Knowledge Quarter, and the growth of new businesses and jobs. 'These things are happening, we need to stop the self-deprecation and be a bit ballsier when talking about Birmingham,' he added.
Acknowledging Challenges While Promoting Success
Councillor Cotton noted that upcoming events like the European Athletics Championships and the Euros in 2028 present 'another opportunity to tell the story of Birmingham to the world.' However, he emphasized it would be naive to ignore the city's challenges, describing a 'tale of two cities' with a booming city centre contrasted by neighbourhoods facing extreme poverty, structural unemployment, a decade gap in life expectancy, and high levels of child poverty.
'That's the inequality that's got to end if this city is going to be a place that truly works for every citizen, every community and every single neighbourhood,' he stated. He praised the business community for attracting investment and creating opportunities, making Birmingham 'one of the most investable cities in this country' and the largest city economy outside London. The collective challenge, he said, is to ensure this success benefits all people and communities in Birmingham.
New Partnership for a Unified Voice
Earlier at the event, Nicola Fleet-Milne, chair of Birmingham Colmore, explained that the rebrand aims to shift how public and private partners work together to advocate for each other and the city. She signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with Dr Steve Ball, Chair of Southside District Board, paving the way for a Joint BID Executive (JBE). This single executive team will deliver services across both areas while retaining their individual identities, mirroring successful models in Liverpool and Bristol to strengthen large-scale projects and present a united voice to authorities.
Michele Wilby, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Colmore, said the partnership marks 'a long overdue turning point for Birmingham city centre,' offering greater efficiency, deeper collaboration, and a unified voice that cannot be ignored by Government. 'This is about creating a stronger, better-connected, more ambitious city centre, together,' she added.
About the BID Areas
The Colmore area is home to over 650 companies and more than 75,000 professionals, serving as the hub of the West Midlands' business, professional, and financial services cluster. It spans from Snow Hill station to Colmore Row, Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Chamberlain Square, and the Paradise development. Southside covers the cultural heart of the city centre, extending from New Street Station along Bristol Street and around the new Smithfield development, including theatre, Chinese, and gay village areas. Both Business Improvement Districts are funded via a levy on businesses, supporting projects and services that enhance safety, cleanliness, events, and overall vibrancy.
