As 2026 gets underway, a renewed focus is turning to the historic but neglected structures that dot Birmingham's landscape. The call is growing louder to breathe new life into these architectural treasures, removing blight and preserving the city's unique character for future generations.
Iconic Venues of Music and Film at Risk
Topping many wish lists is the legendary Crown pub on Station Street. Famous for hosting Black Sabbath's first ever gig, this venue is widely regarded as the birthplace of heavy metal. Despite its cultural significance, it has stood vacant since 2014. Its future received a crucial boost in 2024 when it was granted Grade II listed status, making its restoration a more viable prospect.
Just down the road, the future of The Electric cinema on Station Street hangs in the balance. This historic picture house remains closed due to ongoing lease disputes. Its fate is further clouded by potential wider redevelopment plans for the Station Street area, leaving its iconic facade and heritage in limbo.
In Harborne, the once-majestic Royalty Cinema stands as a scarred monument to its Art Deco past. This local landmark suffered catastrophic damage from major fires in 2018, which largely destroyed the main auditorium. While its distinctive facade remains, the building is a shell of its former self.
Forgotten Gems in Green Spaces
Nestled within Cannon Hill Park, The Golden Lion presents a particularly poignant case. This charming timber-framed building was physically moved to the park in 1911. However, for over two decades, it has sat unoccupied and fallen into a serious state of disrepair, a forgotten feature within one of the city's most popular green spaces.
The list of buildings in need of rescue extends far beyond these four. Across Birmingham, numerous other structures with rich histories await a saviour. These buildings represent lost community hubs, forgotten entertainment venues, and pieces of the city's industrial and social story that are fading from view.
A Year for Action on Birmingham's Heritage
The push for restoration in 2026 is about more than just bricks and mortar. It's a campaign to reclaim Birmingham's narrative, protect its architectural diversity, and find sustainable new uses for old spaces. Successful projects could spark regeneration in their surrounding areas, create new cultural destinations, and provide a powerful economic boost.
With listed status protecting some and community passion driving interest in others, the hope is that developers, investors, and the council will see the immense value in these projects. The restoration of even one of these buildings would be a significant win for the city's heritage. The dream for 2026 is to see cranes and scaffolding around these sites, signalling not demolition, but a proud and vibrant rebirth.
