The Waterside Business Park has become a little hotspot for Birmingham’s independents
The unassuming business park in Kings Norton(Image: Kirsty Bosley)
If you’ve ever tried turning right on to Pershore Road from Lifford Lane after a visit to the Kings Norton tip, you’ll know that white-knuckle canal bridge corner well.
But visit on foot, at the weekend, and this patch of space between Cotteridge and Stirchley transforms in to one of Birmingham’s coolest estates.
While Pershore Road has become known for being a hub for independent businesses, especially in the world of food and drink (you’ll find a Michelin Guide restaurant and a nationally-recognised cocktail bar among them), others are tucking themselves away in the Waterside Business Park, which runs along the canal.
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From the road, it looks like any other business park, offering access to companies that supply mobility scooters, number plates, drapes and kitchens.
But there’s one stretch that houses three cool spots that are getting rave reviews for being must-visits when the weekend comes – but you have to go there on foot – either from Bournville and Kings Norton train stations, by walking along the canal from town or along the Pershore Road.
The first is Greidy Street, a street food-style venue serving award-winning fried chicken and beers.
Greidy Street(Image: Kirsty Bosley)
Open on Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but closed for the rest of the week, the venue has a perfect five-star rating on Google Reviews for its ‘chill vibe’ and good food.
Giving it top marks, reviewer Mark complimented the ‘very cool place’ for its good range of drinks, including its own lager, and ‘amazing’ chicken.
The venue has indoor seating, warehouse-style decor and a quirky edge. You order food from the truck outside, and there’s seating out there too.
From it, you’ll see customers next door, hanging out at brand new venue The Clubhouse.
The Clubhouse is the bar built-in to Moving Forward Sports, which is a football kit showroom in the week and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays turns into a hangout spot that’s particularly good for fans of the beautiful game.
There are vintage shirts on the walls, free-to-play games and a telly for watching sport. James Holden gave it a great review, posting to Google: “Plenty of drinks to choose from, I do enjoy the Hawkstone lager.
“They have a make your own crisps station where you can choose your own flavours and shake them together, a bit of novelty!
“The best thing though is all the free games and activities, excellent for keeping children entertained!”
The third must-visit adding credence to the business park is Glasshouse, one of Birmingham’s finest breweries, serving their crisp and fresh pints from £4.40 a pop.
Glasshouse brewery’s sunny terrace(Image: Kirsty Bosley)
With an excellent fridge full of cans, a dart board and a dog and family-friendly sunny seating area with rotating street food vendor beside the canal, it’s one of the most relaxing spots in town.
When you go, ask if they’ve got anything fruity on if such a thing is up your alley – we made a special pilgrimage for a pint of Deep Seeded last year and it was a dream.
Sam C called it a ‘proper brewery tap room’ when reviewing it on Google, glad to be able to sit inside the working brewery.
“Nice fresh cold beers which have been made on site,” they said. “Really good atmosphere and reasonably priced. Friendly staff.”
Glasshouse is open Fridays and Saturdays, making beers for the rest of the week which you can find in boozers across the city.
The Waterside Business Park can be found at 1649 Pershore Road, Kings Norton, B30 3DR.