This is an unofficial 'plain English' version of the Big City Plan Work in Progress consultation document about how Birmingham (UK) should be developed over the next 20 years. For more information, see the About page.
To find your way around, use the links under 'Contents' below.
The official consultation closes at 23:59 on Friday 6th February. We closed comments on the same day at 12 noon here in order to get them to the council on time, in the format they want.
We sent a printed copy of all comments that were made before midnight on 4th Feb to the council by post (recorded delivery). We are currently processing comments made by 12 noon today (6th Feb) to email to them.
You can email us at hello@bigcitytalk.org.uk
What kinds of new business start-ups should be encouraged in the city centre? What mechanisms and steps are required to create a supportive environment for these activities?
What kind of brand new businesses should we encourage in the city centre? What can we do to make sure that these brand new businesses have the support they need?
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Anything individual, boutique, artisan or different. Independent shops and restaurants, bars and clubs. The sort of things that will only exist in our city and will provide welcome relief to the ubiquitous chain stores and familiar brands.
It would be great to have a “small-town” feel to the entrepreneurial life of the big city where lots of small businesses are encouraged to support and promote each other. Restaurants and pubs should be encouraged to buy from local producers. Start-ups, shops and cafes should be supported by local design firms and architects who understand where Birmingham's at.
Independent operators with their own unqiue vision and style.
Encourage anything that offers an alternative to big, faceless corporations.
Birmingham really needs to encourage the growth of independant retail, in recent years the city centre has become nothing more than an identikit branded bland english high street. While there will always be a place for the larger chains it is the unique local outlets that really establish the character of shopping areas.
The establishment of an area similar to Oldham Street in Manchester would really add to Birmingham's appeal.