Birmingham, it’s bostin’ mate
September 12th, 2005 4
Many people who hear my accent presume I’m from Birmingham, but I definitely have a Walsall accent, and weme from the Black Country mate, and proud of it! Anyway, this post is all about Birmingham in a good way, which is quite unusual if you’ve ever spoken to anyone who lives “round our way” about the Midlands capital.
Usually Birmingham gets a bit of a bad wrap. Let’s face it, people think it’s crap, (feel free to correct me on this). But I’m happy to say that Birmingham is undergoing a bit of a renaissance period at the moment. Over the last 5 or so years the city council (and no doubt a medley of other investors) have pumped a shed load of money into re-vamping the city center.
It’s the new things that make the old things look better. Okay, I know this is an ambiguous sentence, but when you offset some of the older building and features in Birmingham (such as the candy coloured fence, which is in Bridge Street by the way) against the clean lines of the new building, you get something spectacular.
Birmingham has come a long way since it’s massive decline in the 80’s and early 90’s, and I know it’s still got a log way to go, but it’s showing a lot of promise! Don’t be put off by the stories of old, come and visit Birmingham. It’s bostin’ mate.
4 Comments (+0 in the moderation queue).
#1 On September 12th, 2005 at 11:28 am Paul said...
It’s the new things that make the old things look better.
I totally agree with you. Ever seen the back of the Odeon cinema as it backs onto New Street Station? It’s grubby but I like it. The Rotunda is another example. I think Birmingham has really pulled it’s socks up in the last few years, and many of the developments seem to be intelligently thought out too.
Taking the Bullring as an example, it is not only designed so that it flows into existing shopping areas and connects well with public transport (situated between two major Birmingham railway stations), but it has a respect for the past. St. Matthew’s church has been given the space it deserves, as well as the return of old 17th century streets and passages within the shopping centre.
Just a pity that these old features aren’t given a lick of paint once in a while.
#2 On September 19th, 2005 at 1:01 pm Si said...
The same could be said for Walsall.
While walking around our humble little town, there are obviously some really pasty areas (naming no names) but some of the “traditional” buildings give the place character and I often find myself respecting the older buildings alongside the modern buildings. Take the Wharf for example - there are the old mills and buildings that have been renovated internally to accomodate penthouse apartments but kept the external appearance intact (to a certain extent). I find it blends in with the modern gallery quite well. A little further down the canal, it seems the same for the old flower mill which is awaiting a potential apartment overhaul.
Classic old buildings give the town much more character than shedloads of new pre-fab buildings.
#3 On September 20th, 2005 at 2:05 pm Tom said...
The new Selfridges building is awesome!
#4 On November 7th, 2006 at 3:02 pm Emma said...
Birmingham is definately Bostin mate!