When: Friday 26th April, doors open 17:30
Where: The Fusion Centre (South and City College), High Street Deritend, B5 6DY
Free Entry

Next Friday will see the second installment of Level Up, a spoken word poetry event for young people.

Taking place at South and City College’s Fusion Centre on the High Street, Level Up offers an open mic section along with guest performances from internationally renowned artists.

For more information about the event and details for the next two episodes, please see the poster below:

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We recently shared the news that Birmingham City Council has decided to move the Wholesale Market out of Digbeth. Please see below for commentary on this decision on behalf of the Birmingham Wholesale Fresh Produce Association (BWFPA):

I have attached the minutes from the cabinet meeting held in late March, and in essence you will see Birmingham City Council have decided to work up the two options involving moving the Wholesale Market away from the city centre. As you will also see, much of what they have based the decision on is in private reports, which we (the BWFPA) have not had access to. These minutes are published on the Council website.

We are very disappointed that they have taken this view, but looking at it positively they are saying that they are determined that there will continue to be a Wholesale Market in Birmingham and they are committed to finding the right solution for that provision. They have also said that they are going to ensure that the retail markets which will remain in the Bull Ring have a programme of mitigating measures to help them when the Wholesale Market moves.

In many ways this is a victory for common sense in that the Council have now changed their position and have accepted the importance of the Wholesale Market to the food supply chain as there will continue to be a Wholesale Market. Sadly it is not a victory for a creative solution to keeping the markets together as we had all hoped.

Obviously the Council still need to prepare the full business case, but it looks like the market will be on the move in around 2016. It will also be important that there is clarity about how the mitigation plans will work.

We will keep you updated as and when we have any news. Can you thank all those involved for your support which has been helpful although unfortunately not decisive on this occasion.

Kind regards,

Keith Simpson
On behalf of BWFPA

Cabinet Decision ID

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Birmingham Wholesale Markets in Digbeth. Image: Birmingham Mail

Last week, the Birmingham Mail announced that the city’s wholesale market will be shut down. This is a blow for the traders, as well as Digbeth Residents Association, who have supported the two-year campaign against closure.

The Birmingham Wholesale Markets will be moved to either the former LDV factory site at Washwood Heath, or the former IMI site at Witton within three years. Due to the proposed HS2 train depot at Washwood Heath, this location seems unlikely, but the council believes that relocation and rationalisation (the new site would be only half the size of the existing one) is the only way to guarantee a wholesale market for the region for the next 60 years.

The Birmingham Wholesale Fresh Produce Association (BWFPA) wanted to remain in the city centre, and produced what it believed to be a financially viable solution for maintaining the current site. Unfortunately, this option was dismissed as ‘unaffordable’ by the council, who are willing to share financial details with traders, only if a confidentiality agreement is signed.

Birmingham City Council claims that private developers have already been lined up to build the new facilities to the traders’ own specifications, which the council could then manage. This is a small victory for the traders, who were initially told that the Digbeth site would be closed with no plans for relocation.

The BBC reported that the move will cause a loss in wholesale trade and increase in prices for ordinary customers: the results of an independent survey commissioned by the BWFPA discovered that a move would increases prices by £1.50 on a starter, £2.33 on a main course and £1.20 on a dessert across all restaurants in Birmingham city centre.

Many of the retailers at the Bullring Market and city centre restaurateurs rely on simply walking to the Wholesale Market for their stock. These wholesale customers will have to invest in vehicles and bear the brunt of extra time and fuel costs, or pass these onto the public. There is also a fear that wholesale prices may rise due to higher rents for traders at the new site.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, revealed to members of DRA at the weekend that plans for the land where the current facility sits would be largely residential, along with a mixed-use green space. We will, however, need to wait and see what actually happens come 2016.

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The Women’s Enterprise Hub, a partnership between Birmingham City Council and South and City College, opened on Valentine’s day to provide support and training for women in business. Although the hub is there to support all women, there is a particular focus on helping those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Based at South and City College’s Fusion Centre in Digbeth, The Hub provides courses in fashion and clothing alongside business skills, enabling students to take their fashion skills and turn them into an enterprise. There is also access to a range of partner services including workshops, advice and guidance, and support to pre-start up, start ups and existing businesses looking to develop and grow.

For more information and a list of courses on offer, click here to visit the South and City College website.

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Work began in August last year, but this Wednesday 5th December will see Sir Albert Bore of Birmingham City Council formally declare Eastside City Park open.

Stretching for 6.2-acres from Eastside to the city centre, past Curzon Street Station and Millennium Point, the once confused area has been transformed. It now features formal lawns, public squares and a 188-metre canal feature which incorporates 21 jet fountains, not to mention the 310 trees!

The park will be formally opened at 17:30 when Councillor Bore turns on the park’s lights. Festive indeed!

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