Birmingham CC

• What 4 reasons meant Birmingham was in need of rebranding by the 1970s?


  • global shift- vehicle and manufacturing industry went into decline

  • government grants- foreign car manufacturers set up factories in less well-off places due to grants given

  • strikes- put off investment

  • unemployment- 19% by 1982
• 1976


  National exhibition centre opened on greenbelt land near Birmingham Intl Airport
• 1991


  opening of the ICC and symphony hall
• 1993


  Initial development of Brindley Place by the Argent Group costing £350 million

  Includes sea life centre, Ikon Gallery etc
• 2002


  Millennium Point opened as part of Eastside redevelopment project- costing over £115 million
• 2003


  Bull Ring redevelopment opened costing £530 million, creating 8000 jobs
• 2005


  redevelopment of Matthew Boulton College- over 500 courses
• What strategies were used to rebrand Birmingham between 1970 and 2010?
• NEC


  • opened in 1976

  • first initiative to broaden the city's economic base
• International convention centre


  • seen as a complement to NEC

  • opened in 1991

  • took advantage of the city's central location

  • providing a centre for conferences
• Brindley Place


  • nearly 7 hectares of developments with tenants including Vodafone, Lloyds TSB, Royal Mail and BT

  • home to canal network, pubs, restaurants redeveloped in 1960s
• Eastside


  • one of largest urban regeneration projects in the UK- covers 170 hectares of city centre

  • predicted to take 10 years, costing billions

  • project will extend the network of public spaces, squares

  • key components involve: developments of the learning quarter, home to Aston University, Matthew Boulton College and Millennium Point to make it the focus for new technology uses

  • landmark developments
• Millennium Point


  • project launched in 2002

  • received lottery grant of £50 million from the Millennium Commission

  • set up for inspiring science, technology and learning

  • includes: Thinktank, IMAX theatre, the Hub (centre with shops, cafes, offices)
• Bull ring


  • redevelopment opened in 2003

  • it was a £500 million scheme

  • created 8000 jobs
• Jewellery quarter


  • was a wealthy area, to the Northwest of city centre

  • grew in 18th and 19th century as manufacturing centre, with many factories opening

  • 1970s- global shift happened and metal-making businesses closed down leaving factories derelict

  • potential for regeneration: close to city centre, mix of residential properties

  • supported by a number of players
• Big City Plan
• When were the council's plans for the 'Big City Plan' announced?

  October 2010
• How many acres of land will it redevelop?

  2000 acres
• How many jobs will it create?

  5000 jobs
• What have Birmingham City Council approved of as part of the plan?

  • building a new public square- 'Golden Square'

  • at the corner of Warstone Lane and Vyse Street

  • will be the new centre for the Jewellery Quarter
• How much will the plan cost?

  £1.5 million
• Which three parts will the plaza be split into?

  • a plaza- public events can be held

  • grassed area with orchard trees

  • a promenade
• Who is the project funded by?

  Heritage Lottery Fund- they distribute money from National Lottery to British Heritage
• Regeneration through organisations supported by the central government

  Hylton Street Development
• What will the project involve?

  redevelopment of a grade 2 listed building in Jewellery Quarter to give 13 living and working units for jewellery designers to rent
• How much will it cost?

  £2.5 million
• Who is the project being funded by?

  • partnership of government-funded agencies
• Regeneration through the local government- Birmingham City Council
• What are the council a member of?

  • The Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership

  • involves representatives from businesses and residents
• What are the aims of this partnership?

  • to develop a vibrant atmosphere in the Quarter to attract people to work, live and visit

  • act as a honeypot for creative businesses
• How will the council achieve these aims?

  through improved marketing: making a website, TV and radio
• Regeneration through non-governmental organisations like friends groups
• What have local residents done?

  • formed a 'Friends Group' to try and refurbish the derelict cemeteries
• What is an example of this?

  • Key Hill Cemetery- opened in 1836 and has become neglected

  • local residents can 'adopt' old graves and plant flowers
• Regeneration by private organisations
• What is an example of this?

  • Society for the Protection of Artistic and Cultural Enterprise (SPACE)
• What have SPACE done?

  • redeveloped part of the Big Peg building, that had become run-down recently

  • the company has created new offices for arts and media, including 70 penthouse studios
• Regeneration by individual residents
• What have residents done?

  • set up the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum, which aims to give residents a say in issues affecting the Quarter

  • trying to achieve World Heritage Status for the Jewellery Quarter
• What have the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum set up?

  • a farmers' market

  • happens once a month to increase tourism