Digbeth - Eastside Of Birmingham

Birmingham is a city that has many personalities, with areas that are emerging at a rapid pace thanks to the aid of regeneration. Digbeth stands to be a catalyst for change. With the Eastside boasting the former Birds Custard Factory and welcoming the origins of Birmingham's Irish Quarter which, today stands to flourish because of the St.Patrick's Day Parade. How has Birmingham's Millennium Point and Eastside City Park changed Birmingham's Eastside? Will Curzon Street Station be brought back from its demise to become the possible 'Midlands' terminus of HS2. Looking further into the future of Digbeth, is there a hot new project brewing? Could Typhoo Tea be calling?

Did any mention Mr.Bird's Custard? Because a new legacy has been created from the demise of the Custard Factory? Today, the Custard Factory stands to be a vintage clothing hotspot, which attracts Birmingham's hip and young residents looking for a groovy outfit to rock. There is a remanence of the existing factory that stands today, pleasing the lively scene of ravers ins the main warehouse. I enjoyed an immense night at the custard Factory in September 2010 at the end of my first year's freshers event. I've got love for the Custard Factory! 

Seeing the Custard Factory from a whole new perspective the other day when I visited. The eateries were busy with lunchtime business people getting a bite to eat and residents from the neighbouring apartments all going about their business. I would say that Digbeth has a very retro feel with its cool art galleries and vintage kitsch fashion shops, I for one would love to spend a penny or two on a outfit. Anyway, looking to the future of the Custard Factory I can see that the legacy of Bird's Custard will live on through the cutting edge facility that has revolutionised Digbeth. 

Birmingham's Irish Quarter is centred around Eastside. Pictured to the right is The Dubliner pub, this public house stands on Digbeth High Street. This pub has bounced back against all odds after it was subjected to a terrible fire, destroying this Irish focal point in Birmingham's Eastside. The Dubliner reopened its doors to the public in a very short space of time after the fire. On the last St.Patrick's Day I saw the revellers enjoying themselves and I heard the chimes of The Irish Rover song by The Pogues being played. 

Digbeth is home to various other Irish pubs within the Irish Quarter which are The Kerryman and The Irish Centre. The Irish Quarter brings a certain uniqueness to Eastside because each of Birmingham's inner city regions has its own personality. The Irish community have been part of Birmingham's rich blend of cultures and communities from as far back as the 1820's leaving a legacy and building a strong link with Digbeth and the wider region of Birmingham's Eastside I do hope that next year's St.Patrick's Day goes as smoothly this years festivities did! I have every confidence that Eastside holds its Irish Quarter close and keeps its customs and festivities alive for future generations to enjoy. 

Eastside has gained better transport facilities as the years have past. Birmingham has gained a new coach station. This new amenity is home to National Express coaches from the all new Birmingham Coach Station. The new facility has been praised because of its efficiency and proximity to Birmingham city center. I have used this transport hub on two occasions for trips to Huddersfield and Northampton. I was once sceptical about taking the coach in general as I always favoured the train, but my experience from Birmingham Coach Station has been positive. 

I would say that Birmingham is ready for another reliable transport gateway, why not this be in Digbeth? Whilst New Street Station is being redeveloped we do need a gateway that brings tourism and business to the UK's second city. Digbeth is close to Birmingham Airport, another major gateway for the city which benefits from regular coach-loads of passengers alike. I have every confidence that I shall continue to utilise Birmingham's Coach Station as Eastside deserves everyone's support, Digbeth brings people to Birmingham without knowing it because of its the retro capital of the city. 

Do I hear a kettle boil? No, but I hear the news of a possible new addition to Eastside in the form of the Typhoo Wharf. The original Typhoo Tea factory stands to this day as a Grade C building that cannot be demolished. The proposed Typhoo Wharf will be developed into a mixed use residential area branded as the Typhoo Wharf. The Typhoo Factory area needs to be brought back to some kind of life, maybe the new mixed use residential development will benefit Eastside?

The Typhoo Wharf development is part of Birmingham's Big City Plan, bringing Birmingham's city core to a world class standard. I saw the site by coincidence on my way to Eastside City Park, seeing this proposed point of interest may put this development in good stead, only I can go by that notion. Birmingham is one of those cities that has been fortunate to be experiencing a lot of investment and new opportunities. So, who knows that if this sweet and hot deal will be a possibility for Birmingham's Eastside. Pour a me a cup of Typhoo Tea please!

Eastside has been transformed by the Millenium Point, bringing a futuristic day out for all of the family. Captured to the left is Eastside City Park which has been only been visible to me since I have returned to Birmingham after my placement in America. This is a testament that Digbeth has been progressing and moving forward compared to the other parts of the city of Birmingham. The first time I came into contact with Eastside's City Park it was quite cold, dismal and empty but just the other day the weather was very nice so the activity I saw was quite positive.

High Speed Two is poised to be steaming its way to Birmingham's historic railway station, Birmingham Curzon Street Station. Reports have been rife whether the milestone project will take place, transforming the way high speed rail will be making its way to the West Midlands from London. Visible on the picture to the left hand side is the scene of Digbeth's new Eastside project depicting the historic station that has caused a lot of controversy due to the path of the train route to London Euston Station. I see a decision being made about the high speed train line, but it's a big step for Birmingham and Eastside's future. Only time will tell whether Curzon Street Station will welcome the High Speed Two train in the near future. Eastside could be expanding?! 

Eastside Is The Future !!! Typhoo Wharf Now !!! Let's Go Custard Factory !!!Joseph Harrison