Birmingham ICC Londis to Reopen with Vending Machines After Theft Forced Closure
A Birmingham city centre shop that was forced to close last August after being targeted by thieves on a daily basis is set to reopen with a new security-focused approach. The Londis store inside the International Convention Centre mall will reopen on Monday, March 16, after months of closure initially attributed to refurbishment works.
Daily Robberies Led to Shutdown
JCO Retail finance director Tony Clark revealed to BirminghamLive in October that the real reason behind the closure was persistent theft. "We had to shut the shop because lowlifes were robbing the store on a daily basis and we had a duty of care to protect our staff," Clark explained. He described how perpetrators would enter the store and, in worst cases, pin the manager against shutter doors to steal valuable items, presumably for resale.
Despite installing surveillance cameras and providing video evidence to police, who identified the perpetrators, the thefts continued unabated. The company eventually hired private security staff, which immediately stopped the thieving, but the cost proved unsustainable due to low footfall in the ICC mall.
Card-Only Vending Machines as Solution
To address the security concerns while allowing the business to operate, the shop will reopen with a trial of card-only vending machines. These machines will sell the same products as the original shop but eliminate cash handling and reduce opportunities for theft. The reopening was originally planned for the end of March but faced delays; however, the vending machine strategy remains unchanged.
Clark emphasized that this approach aims to provide service "without the thieving," hoping to recoup costs that couldn't be sustained with traditional security measures. The shop's closure since August had been publicly described as temporary refurbishment, but the underlying issues of daily robberies necessitated this innovative reopening plan.
Broader Implications for City Centre Retail
This case highlights challenges facing retail businesses in Birmingham's city centre, particularly in locations with variable foot traffic like the ICC mall. The shift to automated, card-only sales represents a significant adaptation to security threats that traditional policing and surveillance couldn't adequately address.
As Birmingham continues to develop its retail landscape, such solutions may become more common for businesses struggling with theft and security costs. The Londis reopening will be closely watched as a potential model for other vulnerable retail operations in the area.
