DavidNikel.org.uk » city-centre

New Street Revamp Given The Green Light

David Nikel — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:46:36 +0000

Birmingham City Council's planning committee have given the final approval to plans to redevelop Birmingham New Street station. The bold design will transform the welcome visitors to Birmingham receive, with vastly increased passenger capacity thanks to a bright, new concourse.

The station is going to remain operational throughout the work, which starts later this year. Phase 1 should be complete by 2012.

But what will make the most difference for Birmingham's commuters is reopening the Camp Hill line.

Planning Application – Eastside Park

David Nikel — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:32:31 +0000

Birmingham's brand new city centre park is a step closer to reality as an outline planning application has now been submitted.

The planned park is an unusual long, narrow shape snaking its way through the Eastside area. Beginning by Moor Street Station off Park Street, the park will wrap around the front of the new BCU campus building up to Thinktank's Science Garden in front of Millennium Point. The park then runs alongside most of the length of Curzon Street.

Commuters and travellers arriving in to Birmingham New Street from Birmingham Airport and London will get a full view of the park. For too long this major route in to the city has given visitors a negative impression of the city. It also gives the increasing number of city centre residents a space to enjoy, along with families wanting a break from shopping trips in the city.

You have the chance to comment on the proposals up to 18th February using the Council's Planning Online tool.

The Electric’s 100th Birthday

David Nikel — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:33:05 +0000

This weekend marked the 100th birthday of the Electric Cinema in Birmingham - the UK's oldest working cinema. Opened in 1909 the cinema has been known as the Select, the Jacey, the Classic and the Tivoli and also been an amusement arcade!

I have been twice this year, once to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and once to see The Children as part of the Screen WM Film Festival. I'd recommend the Electric experience to anyone, particularly the sofa seats in the main screen, with some of the gorgeous "Just Rachel" ice-cream sold on the premises. They also have a traditional absinthe fountain, if that's your bag.

If you're interested in going along, check out the programme for the next few weeks. Up until New Years Eve you can catch Nowhere Boy and Nine. Guitar fans should check out It Might Get Loud on Tuesday 5th Jan, while Sex & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll, a biopic of Ian Dury, runs from 8 - 14 Jan.

I'll see you there

ArtsFest 2009 – Sunday in the City Centre

David Nikel — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:49:05 +0000

The highlight of Sunday will be sets from Reverend & The Makers, Athlete and Birmingham's own Johnny Foreigner, all live in Centenary Square. Also worth checking out is "The Fear of Queer", a performance exploring homophobia from the Pink Space Theatre Company, ahead of November's SHOUT Festival.

SUNDAY - 2.30PM - BELLY DANCE ELEMENTS
The Flapper
Release the Goddess within. Bellydancing with a Bollywood mix!

SUNDAY - 3.35PM - THE NATIONAL SAXOPHONE CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN
Birmingham Conservatoire - Adrian Boult Hall
Sax to the Max. Auditory and visual saxophonic treat.

SUNDAY - 4.00PM - PINK SPACE THEATRE COMPANY
The Library Theatre
The Fear of Queer. An explosive, contemporary, theatrical exploration of homophobia, intolerance and prejudice through a fusion of physical theatre, movement, dance, music, lyrics and performance poetry.

SUNDAY - 4.30PM - RAINBOW VOICES
The Flapper
Birmingham's LBGT Community Choir.

SUNDAY - 5.50PM - JOHNNY FOREIGNER
Centenary Square Stage
Birmingham's own indie heroes.

SUNDAY - 8.45PM - REVEREND & THE MAKERS
Centenary Square Stage
Indie / funk / electro from Sheffield's finest.

SUNDAY - 9.45PM - ATHLETE
Centenary Square Stage
Award-winning indie-rock.

ArtsFest 2009 – Saturday in the City Centre

David Nikel — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:25:29 +0000

ArtsFest continues on Saturday with a fascinating world record attempt at forming the biggest bhangra dance group! You must register between 8am and 1pm in the Centenary Square dance marquee, with the main event taking place at 1.30pm. Other highlights include...

SATURDAY - 11.00AM - BIRMINGHAM LIBRARIES
The Library Theatre
Birmingham's Young Poet Laureate event.

SATURDAY - 11.00AM - BIRMINGHAM PHOTOSPACE
pARTicipate Marquee 2, Victoria Square
Have your portrait taken professionally. Professional photographers guided by the public will take as many portraits as possible of visitors to ArtsFest.

SATURDAY - 2.20PM - THE PLAY HOUSE
Birmingham REP - REP Door
Rainforest Symphony. Birmingham's dynamic participatory theatre company igniting children's imaginations.

SATURDAY - 3.20PM - ASTON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY WITH THE CBSO
Centenary Square Stage
Latino Grooves: Latin meets classical.

SATURDAY - 3.30PM - ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
Birmingham Conservatoire Recital Hall
Voice / movement workshop for over 16's. Bringing Shakespeare alive for young people.

SATURDAY - 6.30PM - NEEDLESS ALLIES
The Old Joint Stock Theatre
City Living. Interactive exploration into people's travels.

SATURDAY - 7.30PM - THE BO DUDLEYS
The Yardbird
Britain's best boogie band!

SATURDAY - 8.00PM - CLASSICAL FANTASIA WITH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET AND BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY
Centenary Square Stage
Enjoy world-class performances culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.

SATURDAY - 9.00PM - ASTRO-PHYSICS
Victoria Square Fountain Stage
Live hip hop, funk, drum n' bass.

ArtsFest 2009 – Friday in the City Centre

David Nikel — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:33:31 +0000

This year's incarnation of ArtsFest is about to kick off, so I thought I'd spend some time going through the highlights, starting with Friday's performances across the city centre.

FRIDAY - 1.15PM - CBSO PROMOTIONAL CONCERT
Symphony Hall
Lunchtime concert with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's electrifying music.

FRIDAY - 4.30PM - BHANGRA WORLD RECORD WORKSHOP
Centenary Square Dance Marquee
Learn the dance steps for Saturday's World Record attempt.

FRIDAY - 5.25PM - SAMBA SPECTACULAR
Centenary Square Stage
Featuring Someone @ the Door Samba Band & Bloco Louco

FRIDAY - 7.00PM - THE FORTS OF KIMMY SUE ANNE... INNIT
The Prince of Wales
Chav comedy poet... Innit.

FRIDAY - 7.10PM - BEINGFRANK PHYSICAL THEATRE
Centenary Square Dance Marquee
Raging Skulls. Breath-taking dance, parkour and breakdance.

FRIDAY - 8.00PM - BBC BIG BAND
Town Hall
30th Anniversary Concert for BBC Radio 2. Britain's finest big band is joined by singing star Matthew Ford for a night of swing classics.

FRIDAY - 8.30PM - TALKING BROTHERS
The Old Joint Stock Theatre
Brothers need to talk. Unique and stimulating performance poetry.

FRIDAY - 10.00PM - BATTLE FOR PRAGUE
The Flapper
Bleary eyed uplifting baroque rock.

Gold Award For Brum’s Floral Trail

David Nikel — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:43:37 +0000

Over the last year you may have seen floral versions of a Mini on Victoria Square, Wallace and Gromit on Great Charles Street Queensway or a watch on New Street.

They are just three of 19 features on the Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail, which has just won Gold in the Urban Community category at the Heart of England In Bloom Regional Awards Ceremony.

The trail is linked to the bicentennial celebrations of the life of Matthew Boulton.

(via JewelleryQuarter.net)

The Cube – Modern Masterpiece or White Elephant?

David Nikel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:46:08 +0000

The final phase of The Mailbox development is nearing completion. Named The Cube, the mixed-use development will provide a new hotel, with more shops, offices, apartments, bars and restaurants around Birmingham's canal district.

Many residents have contacted me to say the look of the building is nothing like they expected and could turn out to be an embarrassing mistake.

It was a similar story when the Mailbox itself was constructed and of course when the silver disc covered Selfridges building opened. But in time, Brummies seem to have taken both to their hearts.

So take a look at the artists impression, followed by the actual construction of the Cube. What do you think?

The Cube - artists impression

The Cube - during construction, August 2009

Birmingham City Skyline

David Nikel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:19:49 +0000

Here's a few snaps from the 31st floor of Cleveland Tower on Holloway Head.

Looking east, directly across Holloway Head at Beetham Tower, with New Street station and the Rotunda behind.

Looking north with the BT Tower and the Jewellery Quarter in the distance.

Looking north-west over the Mailbox and Centenary Square.

City Centre Neighbourhood Forum

David Nikel — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:31:11 +0000

On Monday evening I was invited along to a committee meeting of the City Centre Neighbourhood Forum. The group have trouble communicating on a regular basis with residents of the city centre, because the vast majority live in private developments with door entry codes. I joined them for the first portion of the meeting, where I presented a few tips and tricks on getting the local community engaged via the internet and specifically blogging.

Before I left we discussed a number of other issues including the Broad Street BID.

If you live within the city centre boundary (as defined by the map below), I'd encourage you to bookmark the Neighbourhood Forum Blog.