Sutton Coldfield's Decade-Vacant Jimmy Spices Unit Now 'Under Offer'
A prominent restaurant premises in Sutton Coldfield, which has sat dormant for an entire decade, could soon be getting a new tenant. The former Jimmy Spices outlet, located in The Parade in the town centre, has been listed as 'under offer' on Birmingham City Council's property services website.
A Long History of Vacancy
The Jimmy Spices buffet restaurant, which operated above the Aldi supermarket at the Queen Street end of The Parade, closed its doors on March 7, 2016. This closure was part of a wider shutdown that included branches in Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon, resulting in the loss of approximately 100 jobs.
At the time, director Jaswinder Choongh cited two main reasons for the closure: "The overheads of running such big restaurants and the emergence of cheaper imitations which have taken a larger share of the market." Since then, the unit has remained empty, with only one Jimmy Spices 'Global Buffet' restaurant remaining in Birmingham on Broad Street.
Council Ownership and Listing Details
The premises at 101A Parade, Sutton Coldfield is owned by Birmingham City Council, along with a string of shops on that side of The Parade and the neighbouring Newhall Walk retail park and car park. The council's property listing describes the first-floor site as suitable for bar, restaurant and leisure uses.
Key details of the listing include:
- A floor area of approximately 1,316 square metres
- An annual rent of £65,000
- A rateable value of £87,000, with rates payable estimated at £47,502
Prime Location and Potential
In a brochure accompanying the listing, property firm Avison Young highlighted the unit's advantageous location. They stated: "The Parade forms part of the prime retail destination at the heart of Sutton Coldfield town centre, offering a vibrant mix of national and independent retailers within a predominantly pedestrianised setting."
The area benefits from:
- Strong footfall and a substantial catchment from Birmingham's northern commuter belt
- High visibility and accessibility
- A quality retail environment that makes it a sought-after location for occupiers and visitors
This development marks a significant opportunity to bring a long-vacant unit back to life, potentially revitalising a key part of Sutton Coldfield's town centre. The 'under offer' status suggests that after ten years of emptiness, this prominent space may soon welcome a new business, contributing to the local economy and community vibrancy.
