Campaigners in Birmingham are celebrating a 'small victory' after an unauthorised car park at a historic pub, famed as the birthplace of rock legends Black Sabbath, was finally blocked off.
Council intervenes at historic music venue
The Crown on Station Street, where Ozzy Osbourne and his bandmates played their first ever gig, has stood empty for many years. Despite its cultural significance, the site's future has been a source of ongoing concern, with campaigners accusing the owners, Toyoko Inn, of neglect.
Fresh alarm was raised in December when it emerged the site was being operated as a car park by Euro Car Parks, charging fees from £4.50, despite lacking planning permission. Birmingham City Council launched an investigation and subsequently issued formal letters to all parties involved.
The council demanded that the use of the land as a car park cease within 28 days. A visit to the site on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, confirmed the action had been taken: the car park was blocked off and advertising signs removed, with just one vehicle left on the premises.
A long-running battle for Station Street
The move has been welcomed by the Save Station Street campaign, which has long fought to preserve the character and venues of the city centre street. Darren John from the campaign had previously condemned a separate proposal by Toyoko Inn to extend car park use for three years, arguing it would lead to further neglect.
That proposal was refused by the council last summer, with planners stating it was contrary to current policy. The recent enforcement action represents a further step in holding the owners to account.
"The matter continues to be investigated in line with the Birmingham Local Enforcement Plan," a spokesperson for Birmingham City Council stated. "All interested parties of the land have been formally written to and advised of the planning situation and that the use of the land as a car park should cease by today."
What next for The Crown?
While halting the unauthorised car park is seen as progress, campaigners are now turning their focus to the pub's long-term fate. The Save Station Street campaign described the council's action as a positive step but immediately followed it with a demand to Toyoko Inn: "refurb The Crown now or sell."
Toyoko Inn has previously outlined ambitions for the site. In planning documents, the company argued that income from the car park would help fund a major project involving the restoration of The Crown and the construction of a new 300-bed hotel on the rear car park. They claimed the scheme would celebrate the pub's heritage and contribute over £4 million to regenerating the Southside District.
However, with the car park now shut down and the building remaining derelict, trust among local campaigners is low. The future of this iconic piece of Birmingham's musical history remains uncertain, pending further action from its owners or decisive intervention from the city's planning authorities.
