A Birmingham food court has hit back at what it calls 'harmful' misinformation after opening without planning permission. ROCK PARK, located on Adderley Road in Alum Rock, faced a protest on Monday, May 11, where locals brandished placards reading 'Council Enforce the Law' and 'Residents Deserve Better'. The venue closed the following day.
With Birmingham City Council now investigating, ROCK Park stated that its planning application is 'currently being processed' and dismissed claims it had been rejected. The food court's management also alleged that some protesters had previously expressed interest in becoming vendors at the site.
Response to Litter Complaints
Addressing complaints about litter, ROCK PARK claimed that some individuals were 'deliberately discarding rubbish' to create a false impression online. The venue said it is 'committed to operating responsibly' and is working with authorities to obtain planning permission.
Statement from ROCK PARK
A spokesperson for ROCK PARK said: 'We would like to address some of the recent comments and reports regarding ROCK PARK Food Court in Alum Rock. For many years, this site was unfortunately left neglected and had become an area associated with fly-tipping and anti-social waste issues.'
'Our vision was to transform the space into something positive for the community — a clean, safe and family-oriented food park where people of all backgrounds, ages and cultures can come together and enjoy quality food in a welcoming environment.'
The spokesperson highlighted the opportunities created for young entrepreneurs and small independent businesses, adding: 'Many of the vendors operating at ROCK PARK are hardworking local people trying to build a future for themselves and their families. In a very short space of time, the food park has also helped create multiple jobs and opportunities within the local community.'
Planning Permission Clarification
Regarding the planning application, the spokesperson said: 'Claims suggesting that the application has been “rejected” are incorrect and misleading. An application has been submitted, and further information and requirements were requested as part of the standard process. These items have since been submitted, meaning the application is currently being processed — not rejected.'
They added that solicitors and professional teams are working closely with relevant authorities to ensure full compliance.
Protest Details
On the protest held on Tuesday, May 12, the management team met with newly elected councillor Nosheen Khalid. The spokesperson explained: 'During discussions, it was suggested that, in the interest of peace and community relations, the park close for the evening while discussions continued. We agreed voluntarily as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation. Any suggestion that the business was “shut down” or forcibly closed is entirely inaccurate.'
The statement also noted that several individuals involved in the protest were not local residents and therefore not directly impacted by the site. 'We have evidence showing that some individuals protesting had previously expressed interest in becoming vendors themselves, while others had visited the park multiple times, purchased food from vendors and provided positive feedback before later participating in protests.'
Online Misinformation
Addressing harmful content online, the spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, we have also seen misleading and harmful content circulating online, including allegations involving pests, rubbish and hygiene concerns. Some posts appear to contain manipulated or AI-generated imagery, while there have also been incidents of individuals purchasing food and deliberately discarding rubbish to create a false impression online.'
Since opening, ROCK PARK has employed on-site cleaners who clean before and after trading every day, and team members voluntarily carry out litter-picking in the wider Alum Rock area regularly. 'From our experience and conversations with many local residents, the majority have been welcoming, supportive and open to constructive dialogue and compromise.'
Commitment to Community
The spokesperson concluded: 'We remain committed to listening to genuine concerns and working positively with the community. Importantly, since opening we have received no reports relating to serious noise issues, anti-social behaviour or safety concerns. We have security on-site to ensure visitors, families and vendors can enjoy the environment safely and respectfully.'
'ROCK PARK was created with the intention of bringing investment, opportunity and positivity to Alum Rock. We remain committed to operating responsibly, working with the relevant authorities, and ensuring the site becomes something the wider community can be proud of.'
