A vision for what a city centre street could look like has been released to the public and the council has issued a statement
The architectural vision of Station Street(Image: Intervention Architecture)
Birmingham City Council has moved to ‘reassure residents’ after a vision for the future of a city street was revealed this week.
Station Street is the city centre road on which the now-closed Electric Cinema and The Crown pub sit, alongside the country’s oldest repertory theatre The Old Rep.
This week, images of how it could look if its future was preserved by stakeholders were shared by an design firm.
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Digbeth-based Intervention Architects were commissioned by the National Trust to illustrate what the ‘important’ road could be if stakeholders were to work together to invest in bring such a vision to life.
The images formed part of a document, designed to ‘start conversations’, which Intervention Architects says was shared with Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority as well as Network Rail.
The council has now moved to ‘reassure’ residents on its commitment to ‘protecting the city’s heritage’.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council told BirminghamLive: “Birmingham City Council is aware that the National Trust have brought together some proposals for Station Street, but we don’t have a formal submission.
“The Council recognises the cultural and historical significance of this area to the city and its communities.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with partners, including relevant trusts and stakeholders, to ensure that any future development reflects Birmingham’s identity and supports inclusive growth.
“The Council also wishes to reassure residents that we take seriously our role in protecting the city’s heritage, and any proposals will be carefully considered through the proper planning process to balance progress with preservation.”
Station Street currently has a number of closed buildings, including The Electric Cinema, which was the UK’s oldest working cinema before it shut down in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Grade II-listed pub The Crown takes up a large space on the end of the street, facing Birmingham New Street Station. It’s currently boarded up under the ownership of Toyoko Inns, a Japanese firm.
The Crown is revered for being the first place Black Sabbath performed, poignant given tens of thousands will flock to the city on July 5 for the band’s final ever gig at Villa Park Stadium.
As well as Black Sabbath, the pub was a grassroots space for talent which went on to achieve significant recognition, including Led Zeppelin, UB40 and Duran Duran.
The future of the pub, and of the street, are uncertain.