Historic Birmingham Building's Last Tenant Faces Uncertain Future
In the heart of Birmingham city centre, a grand old Masonic Hall stands at the corner of New Street and Ethel Street. To casual passersby, the building appears largely abandoned, with closed shops displaying bailiff notices in their windows. However, hidden within this historic structure, one business continues to defy the odds and maintain a vibrant presence.
The Last Remaining Business in a Changing Landscape
La Galleria, an authentic Italian restaurant, has become what owner Erminio Shahmani describes as "the last man standing" in this section of Birmingham. Located just steps from New Street Station, the restaurant occupies space in a building that once housed the ABC Cinema, which closed its doors over four decades ago after screening ET: The Extra Terrestrial.
The restaurant's location presents unique challenges. Delivery cyclists congregate outside, waiting for orders from nearby food establishments. The area also contains remnants of pandemic-era facilities, including a former COVID-19 testing site and a closed milkshake shop. Despite these surroundings, La Galleria continues to serve customers daily from noon until midnight.
A Personal Investment in Birmingham's Culinary Scene
Erminio Shahmani moved La Galleria to its current Ethel Street location in September 2014, relocating from near the old library. Since then, he has invested approximately £150,000 in refurbishing the restaurant, creating a warm dining space featuring fine quartz tables, an open kitchen where chefs prepare dishes from across Italy, and a wood-fired pizza oven that fills the room with the comforting aroma of fresh bread.
"I took this place on with bravery," Shahmani recalls. "You'd have thought it'd be hit by a bomb, the way it looked. I knew we would be kicked out. But when you make something with your hands, fit the floors, it becomes more than something you buy and sell with no feeling."
Development Plans Cast Shadow Over Restaurant's Future
The uncertainty surrounding La Galleria stems from planning permission granted in 2024 to transform the historic building into modern office and retail spaces. According to the approved plans, two existing ground-floor retail units will be eliminated to create an entrance area for the new office spaces above.
Shahmani expresses confusion about the timeline, noting that while the planning permission lasts for five years and two years have already passed, he was recently offered a new five-year lease. "If now, they're giving me a five-year lease, what are they planning?" he questions. "As I see it, nothing has been done with the planning permission since it was granted."
The restaurant owner currently operates on a rolling contract, having originally signed a seven-year lease before transitioning during COVID-19 lockdowns. He now faces the possibility of remaining in the location until 2030, despite the approved redevelopment plans.
Challenges Beyond Development Uncertainty
Shahmani identifies several additional challenges facing his business and the surrounding area. He notes that while construction work is transforming other parts of New Street, this particular section has seen little improvement. The concentration of delivery cyclists creates what he describes as a "nightmare" situation, with workers congregating outside businesses throughout the day.
"They don't seem to realise that you can't sit on someone's doorstep 24/7," Shahmani observes. "Even though they're harmless, they're working hard to earn a living, but it can feel intimidating when you walk past. They can be extremely inconsiderate."
The restaurant owner also points to broader economic pressures that have contributed to neighboring businesses closing their doors. "Rent and rates will kill you," he states bluntly, adding that if he had been offered the freehold on the entire building, he would have purchased it and developed multiple restaurants and businesses within the space.
Preparing for an Uncertain Future
In response to the uncertain future of his Birmingham location, Shahmani has taken proactive measures by securing premises in Sutton Coldfield for a forthcoming La Galleria di Sutton. "I don't want to leave here, it's like my baby," he explains. "I built it with my hands. It's like if you tend a garden, working, planting and watering, it becomes a flower. That's La Galleria to me."
The potential closure of the Birmingham restaurant weighs heavily on Shahmani, particularly regarding his employees. "The thought of leaving 18 people employed breaks my heart," he admits. However, he remains philosophical about the situation: "But this is life. You just have to put your chin up, do your best and thank god we're still OK."
Despite the challenges and uncertainty, La Galleria continues to serve its loyal clientele, offering space for family gatherings and maintaining its reputation for authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant stands as a testament to independent business resilience in Birmingham's evolving urban landscape, even as development plans threaten to transform the historic building it calls home.
