More businesses in Digbeth have voiced their concerns over the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance (MRHA) proposals to widen sections of the Bordesley Viaduct, warning that the plans could spell the end of the area's vibrant creative community. The proposals, which would require the demolition of several buildings, have been described as a "cultural wipe out" by one bar owner, and now other venues are speaking out about the potential loss.
Bar owner warns of 'cultural wipe out'
Yesterday (August 6), Benjy Hill, owner of Mama Roux and Club Collette, told BirminghamLive that the proposals would be a "cultural wipe out" for Digbeth. The bridge extension, which would affect the iconic arches visible when walking from Birmingham Moor Street into Digbeth, could only be achieved if his businesses and others were removed.
The list of affected businesses is extensive, including Park Street Tattoo, Original Patty Men, Kilder, Global Gaming Arena and Cafe, Midland Press, The Warehouse, Brum Radio, VOCE Books, Suki10c, The Ladbrooke Hotel, The Executive Lounge, Lab11, Sector57, BIMM University, The Ruin, Pan Pan, Golf Fang, Ithaka Coffee, The Night Owl, Luna Springs, XOYO, The Rainbow, The Drop Inn, Pirate Studios, Borsch Electric, and Blue Marlin. This list is approximate, based on current plans published by the MRHA.
The Night Owl faces uncertain future
Among the most affected is The Night Owl, a beloved grassroots music venue that has been a staple of Digbeth for over a decade. Its general manager, Clare Edwards, says that if the plans go ahead, The Night Owl would not survive. The venue, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, has survived lockdown, years of roadworks, and rising energy bills, thanks to its loyal supporters.
Clare Edwards said: "It's difficult to truly express the stress and heartbreak these potential plans have already caused, not just to The Night Owl but to the Digbeth community as a whole. The Night Owl is a committed grassroots venue of 11 years and a huge passion for subcultures has always been the heart of what we do."
She added: "It is immensely worrying that with the demolition of not only Lower Trinity but other areas of Digbeth, safe, alternative, independent spaces like ours may no longer hold a place in this city and is that really worth a couple of extra trains an hour into town? It's pretty awful to have your future potentially decided by people who see no worth in what we do, they didn't even seem to realise that Lower Trinity had open, thriving venues."
The Warehouse: A hub for activism
The Warehouse, home to Birmingham Friends of the Earth (BFoE), is also set for demolition under the plans. The building provides affordable meeting spaces for hundreds of community organisations each year and houses Brum Radio, VOCE Books, a bike shop, and hosts countless community events. It also features a wildlife garden, a rare green space in Digbeth.
A spokesperson for The Warehouse said: "This building is not just BFoE's 'property'. It's the result of five decades and millions of volunteer-hours of activism and commitment from BFoE, other residents and guests, steadily building its social outcomes, condition and business success. It's the city's heart of activism, an irreplaceable city-centre meeting space for hundreds of community organisations every year, and a building in which we have in the last year invested over £100,000 in new roofs and energy efficiency measures. No financial compensation can make up for this loss."
Local band GANS speaks out
The local band GANS, which has deep ties to Digbeth, also shared their concerns. They said: "Digbeth, an area of Birmingham that was always home to the creative, the bold, the alternative and the passionate. Lower Trinity street always was and continues to be the beating heart of that. All of us in GANS have played at every single venue on the street across the years. Each venue its own hub with its own identity and culture to learn from, and most importantly get lost in."
They highlighted unforgettable shows at XOYO, DJing at The Night Owl New Year's Eve 2023, and their first gig at Digbeth Dining Club in 2017. They added: "As the city has consistently attacked its own arts and culture by silencing its buskers and showed no support for the arts, we understand the position that is taken. But to risk losing The Night Owl, Mama Roux's, XOYO and all other businesses involved around the area is a complete culture death. With the recent announcement from the government to cut taxes for nightlife venues, and a glimmer of hope that nightlife will prosper again, this potential decision is counter intuitive, dangerous and completely wrong."
Public consultation open
People can have their say and tell the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance how they feel about these plans. The consultation is open now, and the future of Digbeth's creative community hangs in the balance.
