Option S6
Original Document
Southside as a theatre and entertainment district. A major entertainment quarter would be developed to complement the existing Hippodrome, back-to-back museum, Electric Cinema and Birmingham Royal Ballet. A large square would be created on the site of the Wholesale Markets, large enough to stage major outdoor events, and make this a focus for a much enlarged leisure and theatre sector, with close links with the Hippodrome and Gay Village.
Plain English Translation
Southside for theatre and entertainment
Entertainment would be the focus of Southside to go alongside the existing Hippodrome, Back-to-backs museum, Electric Cinema and the home of Birmingham Royal Ballet.
A large square would be created on the site of the Wholesale Markets, large enough to stage major outdoor events.
This would be the focus for a much enlarged leisure and theatre sector, with close links with the Hippodrome and Gay Village.
This would be my favoured option, as it seems to build on the existing character of the area rather than fighting what is there. I do think that a “food quarter” and an entertainment quarter should be able to coexist very happily, however. I'm just not sure about the square mentioned here (is it the same as the Moat Square, incidentally?). My worry is that it could be empty and desolate much the time. Although given where it is, it would perhaps become a decent thoroughfare.
I'd have to agree with your comments… Centenary Square is a lovely space for a concert but on a cold windy day it's not somewhere you want to go to- it's a space to pass through.
This seems compatible with option S3, and I think a combination should be explored that links the two, encouraging more independent cafes, bars and restaurants to set up around the fringes of the public squares to complement the theatre and entertainment venues and make the whole area feel more vibrant and unified.