What's new pussy cat?

There have been a lot changes and goings on in the city of late.  Let me take some time to fill you in on what's happening.

No sooner had they finished refurbishing the Kings Arms at the end of Harborne High Street than a suspected electrical fire took out the entire upper floors.  The pub, which was renamed the Huntsman and was decorated with a Lord of the Rings theme, is sadly now decimated but there does remain a rather ironic banner outside suggested we try their BBQ.  This is the second major fire in recent months for Harborne, in May arsonists destroyed the old Stead and Simpson shoe shop which also damaged Superdrug next door and the Coral betting shop the other side. Coral has now re-opened, work is continuing on Superdrug but the entire roof is still missing from the shoe shop.

In more Harborne news the old Clinton Cards is now a Costa coffee, hmmm not sure that is a good development, see my previous blog on supporting local businesses.  But work is moving on a pace at the old annex/school which will one day be luxury apartments and a cookery school.

The Library of Birmingham is due to open in September, the boards are starting to come down, so you can see the ground floor and the amphitheatre opening now.

Developers have finally started to demolish the old Five Ways Shopping Centre.  According to the signs this will become a 4 star hotel from Park Regis.  http://www.staywellgroup.com/hotels/united-kingdom/park-regis-birmingham  I think from the picture the bedrooms will be in the former Auchinleck house office block.

Further development seems to be afoot in Broad Street as there is now an enormous "smoking" shelter outside the old Orleans building and building work is clearly going on inside.

Check out the Visit Birmingham site for the See Birmingham http://visitbirmingham.com/this-is-birmingham/ in 30 seconds video for some of the historic and fascinating locations around Birmingham.  This includes the Jewellery Quarter and coincidentally I was there last weekend.  I needed to check the setting of my engagement ring checked which is easy to do in Brum as we have the whole area to go to, in fact the problem is rather more one of choose rather than finding someone to do it.  So let me give a shout out to A&A Jewellers who did a lovely job for me at a very reasonable price.  And of course being in the area I popped by the graveyard to visit me old Gramps who is buried there, aka Jacob Wilson the last town-crier of Birmingham who is my Great x 5 Grandfather. http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_235835/William-Thomas-Roden/Portrait-of-Jacob-Wilson,-the-Last-Town-Crier-of-Birmingham

In case you don't know the New Street Station development is now half way through.  The new concourse shopping area reminds me of an airport and there is now plenty of seating, something which was sadly lacking in the old station.  The outside and surrounding roads are at the looks worse before it looks better stage.

 Next week I'll be reporting from the International Food Festival, so get down to Victoria Square and check it out.

Birmingham 2nd Best??????

I've always wanted to write an article for one of the Sunday Newspaper entitled Birmingham, 2nd Best? to discuss why the countries 2nd city is marginalised on the pages that discuss great restaurants or cool hang out joints.  London is usually the main feature with mentions of Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow but never ever Birmingham.  But imagine my surprise when I start researching it and find out that in fact Birmingham is not the official 2nd city of England. There is no official 2nd city in this country.

However there is apparently a big debate as to the unofficial title between Birmingham and Manchester. Whilst Birmingham is the larger city by size and population Manchester want the title due to the arts and culture there.  What?????????  Seriously?   Well that's absolute rubbish, we have Michelin starred restaurants, too many museums to count, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Symphony Hall, the NIA, the NEC, the IKON gallery, classical architecture, modern innovative architecture etc, etc.  How much more culture do they want?

However I have now seen that The New Statesman website has ploughed into the debate so check out what they have to say.  http://www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/2013/08/birmingham-or-manchester-which-britains-second-city

My problem with all this is people passing judgement who have never even been here and believe me I've heard it.  In fact on holiday last year I met a couple in a restaurant who asked where we were from when we said Birmingham they actually replied "oh dear never mind, I suppose someone has to be"  when I challenged them on what exactly about Birmingham offended them it turned out they'd never set foot in the place.  Now my question is why is it considered acceptable to bad mouth Birmingham?  Now you may think from everything I've said I think Brum is the best city in the whole country, well actually I'm much more realistic than that and I've been to most of the major cities.  So I like to think what I say about other cities whilst being my own opinion it is at least a considered and experienced opinion.  During my recent holiday I visited Newcastle for the first time and I must say it's a wonderful city, really beautiful, friendly and with so much to see, so if you are ever in the "desolate* North East" I encourage you to visit.

* I think desolate must mean 80% made of of areas of outstanding natural beauty?!?!?!?

Dates for the diary:

The Birmingham International Food Festival starts on 14th August until 26th August.  Well worth a visit there are stalls selling fresh breads, cheeses, meats etc and also hot food such as Paella, german sausages and curries.

By the way if you are a theatre buff Wicked is coming to the Hippodrome next July and tickets are already on sale.