November 2020
Why Digbeth?
There are a huge range of reasons that attracted Cole Waterhouse to Digbeth, but these can all perhaps be summed up in three words: Community, Connectivity and Culture.
First and foremost Digbeth has a thriving, established community of creatives who work and socialise in the area, they are unquestionably a fundamental part of what makes Digbeth such an attractive area to invest in today. They are the beating heart of what makes Digbeth so special.
We fully recognise that we are the new kids on the block. It’s for this reason that we have worked hard over the last 18 months to engage, listen and collaborate with the community in shaping our plans for Upper Trinity Street. That two-way conversation doesn’t stop, it’s an ongoing process. We want to not only be a good neighbour but to help contribute to the next chapter of Digbeth’s story.
Public Consultation held at The Engine Room, Digbeth.
The second driver was altogether more clear-cut; connectivity. Digbeth is located directly adjacent to the city centre within walking distance of all that Birmingham has to offer. The Eastside Metro Extension, the first section of which is due to open in 2025, is set to make the area even more accessible, there are plans eventually to extend the line all the way out to Birmingham International Airport. Combined with the public realm and cycle improvements planned to be delivered alongside this and the arrival of High Speed 2 in 2026/27 and Digbeth will hold an enviable position as one of the hippest but most well-connected areas in the West Midlands.
Thirdly, Digbeth has a rich cultural history, a former manufacturing powerhouse home to household names such as Typhoo Tea and Birds Custard. This industry was driven by the workers who inhabited the nearby back-to-back courts, working-class homes synonymous with rapidly growing industrial cities of the time. These workers and their families were served by a range of corner shops, pubs, clubs, schools and Churches that formerly occupied the area. This rich history is still evident in many of the building, places and the canal network that still survives in the area to this day. We are acutely aware of the importance of bringing that history out in a genuine and authentic way within the Upper Trinity Street development. That’s why we are working hard with stakeholders, artists and creatives to draw out this story, we can’t wait to reveal more on this over the coming months.
Upper Trinity Street Project Team street art day with local artist Panda.
More generally Birmingham also has an enormous range of cultural and educational institutions, that’s what makes it such an attraction for so many people to live and work, these range from world-class universities, galleries and museums to entertainment and arts venues.
Like many of the UK’s post-industrial regional cities, Birmingham is on the cusp of a city-centre population boom, following hot on the heels of its northern cousin Manchester. Like many others, we are confident that despite the current COVID-19 pandemic people will continue to choose to live in thriving, bustling cities where the best of life can be experienced. Humans, by the most part, are sociable creatures by nature and nothing will stop that basic instinct to co-locate. There is a reason why more people choose to live in urban areas compared to rural than ever before and this trend is accelerating.
We want to be a positive force for the area and help shape the next chapter in Digbeth’s exciting story, bringing a thriving residential population back and helping the area realise its potential. We realise it’s no small task but it’s one we’re truly committed to seeing through, we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
Artist Jim Rodgers live piece at the UTS Public Consultation
