‘It brings soul into this sterile world’: the Birmingham clubbers fighting to save their patch – and Britain’s nightlife
Digbeth is the city’s most thriving party district, but railway upgrades could tear it apart.
By The Guardian
Clubbers in Birmingham’s Digbeth district have held a block party opposing plans that could lead to the demolition of seven nightclubs from 2030.
About 1,800 people attended the event, where revellers chanted the name of West Midlands mayor Richard Parker and called on him to help protect the area’s nightlife.
The proposed changes come from the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, which includes Network Rail. The plans would expand a nearby railway viaduct so more trains could run through Birmingham Moor Street station instead of the more congested New Street.
The seven venues named in the plans include XOYO Birmingham, Mama Roux’s and Club Colette. If the proposals go ahead, demolition work could begin in 2030.
Digbeth is known for its bars, warehouse clubs and music venues. The area was formerly an industrial centre, with manufacturing linked to metal sheets, Typhoo Tea and Bird’s Custard.
Campaigners say the railway work could damage one of Birmingham’s main nightlife districts. They want Mr Parker, who leads the region’s strategic transport agenda, to lobby against the proposals.
The next phase of consultation is expected to take place next summer.
Mr Parker later said securing the transport improvements needed by the West Midlands remained a priority, but added that concerns about the impact on Digbeth’s nightlife “must be taken seriously”.