Option D1
Original Document
Start-up Digbeth. This option would enable Digbeth to evolve as a neighbourhood where business ventures can begin. A significant proportion of the existing building stock would be protected as a way of harbouring creative and start up industries. The character of the area would continue to be derived from the industrial architecture, reusing buildings where possible, keeping the variety of small workshops interspersed with larger warehouses. Refurbishment would be confined to keeping the space operational in order to keep rents down. The streets would remain functional in character and the amount of new residential development under this option would be limited.
Plain English Translation
‘Start Up Digbeth’
Turn Digbeth into an area where people are encouraged to start new businesses. A large number of existing buildings will be re-used to house these new businesses. We will keep the industrial character of the area, re-using buildings where possible. We will keep the mixture of small workshops and larger warehouses. Buildings will be refurbished modestly to provide affordable, functional spaces for new businesses. This will keep business rents down.
I like this option. It would compliment the more expensive business area around Colmore Row and more self employed and startup businesses to work in the city.
I’d see development of community as an important part of this option so providing spaces for social interaction such as cafes and drop-in coworking spaces would be essential. There’s no point having lots of small businesses working in the area if they’re simply shut away in their little boxes.
I’d have a look at what works and (possibly more importantly) what doesn’t work at the Custard Factory and Bond and look at developing those ideas and methods across the area.
I see this as a really positive option, and is my preferred choice. One thing that’s come up time and time again in informal discussion with peers is the current lack of affordable accommodation for creative businesses in the city. If it’s truly to become a creative quarter, this has to factor in the whole spectrum of creative activity – design agencies, professional artists, tattooists, photographers, music, dance, theatre, multimedia, skate culture, street art, etc. Being given affordable options for start-ups in the form of smaller entities, as well as embracing the already well-established businesses who have set up their home in the city, would be a fantastic way for a truly creative zone to start to come to fruition.
I love the refurbishment idea. Making use of existing buildings rather than plundering cash into carbon-copy newbuilds is vital. This shouldn’t be about wiping out what’s there already, rather making the most out of Digbeth’s unique traits and personality. There could even be options to offer grants to businesses already situated in Digbeth to help with facade improvements, etc.
‘If you have neighbours, people will come’. By encouraging creative businesses to set down roots in the area, potential customers are more likely to come across their neighbours who offer similar services or activities. This is not a bad thing and people may feel more inclined to visit if they feel that there are real choice available to them.
Multi-use spaces are something I think should be given serious consideration. As well as allowing for the potential to collaborate, it may also be a way of encouraging artists/entities from outside of the city to the area:
- Social space – encourage people to hang around a while. Too easy to visit for one purpose and not be enticed to explore further. These spaces could also be used for other events/ activities.
- Multi-use gallery space for things like exhibitions, gigs, workshops, community arts and collaborative events could provide a cost-effective solution to a range of organisations who wish to host events and can help to raise the profile of the area.
- Shared workspaces. These already exist in other major cities and, again, provide the potential for cost-effective ‘tap-in’ to the community. For example, Hoxton Works provides hot-desking and short-term/ long term spaces (http://www.hoxtonworks.co.uk/spaces) There’s also a similar idea at Creative Media Centre in Hastings http://www.creativemediacentre.com/index.php?content=services&subcontent=hot_desks.
Just a few ideas to throw into the mix.
Of the 3 options listed, this is the only one that I can relate to Digbeth as I know it now and how I would like to use it in the future.
It’s also the one that seems nearest to fostering the “creative quarter” I would like to be present in the city where I live.
[...] for me, a fantastic set of Birmingham bloggers have sweated blood and tears to produce a ‘plain English’ version online and released it before the end of the consultation period. Their reasoning behind this [...]
One difficulty with the area is the sad state of Bradford Street, which has the potential to be an asset to Digbeth and its surrounding area rather than a liability.
New residential developments have been established but the street is losing its commercial occupiers and much of the industrial space stands empty or, like the old DHSS building, has beren demolished.
One relatively inexpensive option would be to make better use of the width and straight line of Bradford Street to plant some small flowering trees, organise the parking in more attractive bays and to set out a deliberate intention to create “Bradford Boulevard” and an attractive location to live and work.
This seems best to me. As a home worker, I often thing that I would like the opportunity to work away from my desk occasionally and be able to mingle with fellow creatives more. So, I think the hot-desking idea is a good one. However, I've looked into this before and the implementation has never quite worked for me. In order for this to be an attractive option to me I would need:
- The ability to work strange hours as I work with several US clients etc.
- Less of an 'open plan' approach. I participate in lots of conference calls that could disturb others, and similarly when I get down to work I don't want other disturbances.
- Big monitors (1920×1200 or multiscreen) to plug a laptop into (essential for any serious coding).
- Pay-per-time options as well as contract options. (Never know when I would use this facility.)
+ probably some more that I can't think of right now.
With all that in place I would really enjoy the opportunity for networking etc.
Karli
Like most, this is my favorite option. It facilitates what's already going on, and preserves Digbeth's identity by using the gorgeous old buildings here. I think it'd be great to have something like The Hub http://the-hub.net/index.html in Digbeth.
This one appeals to me immensely. I love Digbeth for its industrial nature, but I appreciate that even though it's industrial roots may not be as viable as they once were the building's can still be used for a more creative end.
The hub that Nicky has mentioned is exactly what I want Digbeth to be all about, it also makes me wish for things like The Cowley Club in Brighton http://www.cowleyclub.org.uk/.
I also wouldn't mind Digbeth becoming more 24 hour and event friendly… cash points anyone?
This is the best option out of all 3.
Digbeth already has a host of small businesses, and it would be great to see more independent shops and such popping up in Digbeth, it would bring a lot more people to the area.
I agree with the thoughts here too.
I did look at working in Digbeth recently but was put off by a lack of (safe) car parking space for my clients and not feeling safe there after dark – and to be honest sometimes not feeling safe in the daytime either. At the moment it's not a place that I feel I could take my clients to but it so easily could be with many of the suggestions in the comments above.
Shops, cash points, car parks, trees, lighting etc.
I'm definitely a fan of planting trees. So many parts of the city look drab and colourless and trees I think would be a lovely way to cheer things up. There are some beautiful buildings in Digbeth too, but a lack of lighting does make the place feel gloomy and unsafe. I think the lack of cashpoints are a real issue for many small businesses and the nightlife.
Agree with all of the above. I think Digbeth has the potential to house more independent retail businesses too. My big priority would be to develop the area's connectivity with the rest of the city. Some work is definitely needed around the Moat Lane area but some sort of nice, welcoming vista which led you down from the Bullring and the Markets, and from Moor Street station into Digbeth, where you'd be met by independent shops, bars, clubs and hubs of creative business along a well lit, attractive, pedestrian friendly and safe walk down to the Custard Factory would be fantastic.
A student stopped me to ask for directions a couple of months back. He'd just arrived into Birmingham by National Express coach and he was a bit freaked out. How great would it be if he'd arrived into this thriving creative hub with lots of cool shops. He'd instantly love Birmingham.
I agree with this too. It feels like a logical evolution for Digbeth and would capitalise on the existing entrepreneurial spirit of the area
As someone currently involved with an Arts company working at the Custard Factory, this is the only option which makes sense. Housing and the business sector discussed in options D2 and D3 are already served by other parts of the city centre which is struggling for take-up as it is. Housing also restricts the amount and variety of activities available as the ongoing Spotted Cow dispute proves. Housing would also squeeze out the opportunities for Digbeth to develop as services are required to facilitate their existence.
What Birmingham needs is a more diverse ecology of businesses. Supporting a start-up and artistic culture in Digbeth makes sense when attempting to achieve that ecology. I fully support using the industrial environment to host this ecology. There are opportunities for using the creative sector and the public sector to humanise that environment by encouraging footfall to the area. That means reducing the dominance of the road infrastructure and making the area a more visually attractive area to be in. Places like the Custard Factory are currently disconnected from the city centre and really just exist in themselves. A more coherent Digbeth identity and ease of access to would be mutually beneficial to existing points of interest such as the Custard Factory.
This option D1, is the only option which builds on the existing benefits within Digbeth. The other two options through their corporate identities would conflict with the ecology existing in Digbeth.
This is the only option I can see with a viable future, I agree with the other commenters, a tree lined Bradford Street with some independent shops could become a very vibrant creative hub for Brum.
Street lighting and cashpoints are vital though, people need to feel safe, many of the newer residential developments in the area look like fortified gated communities.