Methodist Central Hall Birmingham. Photo: David Low.
Threat to heritage may multiply as more councils stave off bankruptcy
The Victorian Society and its regional West Midlands and Birmingham Group are concerned at the current situation in relation to the city’s heritage. Several key listed buildings which form important parts of Birmingham’s streetscape are falling into disrepair and could be lost forever if the City Council does not act now. The Society believes there is a direct link between what has happened to Birmingham City Council’s finances and the peril of historic buildings locally.
The Society is concerned that as 1 in 4 councils in England say they are likely to have to apply for emergency government bailout agreements to stave off bankruptcy in the next two financial years (2025/26 and 2026/27), the situation for heritage will worsen and the examples manifesting in Birmingham may multiply. (Survey by Local Government Association 1 in 4 councils likely to need emergency government bailout – LGA survey | Local Government Association)
Earlier this year the Victorian Society highlighted the desperate condition of the Grade II listed Victorian conservatory at The Corinthians and as yet no action has been taken.
Stephen Hartland, Chair, the Birmingham and West Midlands Group of the Victorian Society said, “The current financial plight of the City Council and restrictions on spending imposed by the Commissioners may account for inaction by the Council, but statutory functions relating to conservation and our built heritage must not be ignored for short term financial gain and I call upon the Council to issue an Urgent Works Notice under Section 48 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 without delay”.
The historic Lying-In Hospital, 80 Broad Street has work of 1863 by J.J.Bateman and fine railings by Martin and Chamberlain of 1869. It is also Grade II listed. The building has been empty and become increasingly dilapidated since the closure of Zara’s Club in 2019. In June this year a planning application was rightly refused for the construction of a 42-storey tower on supports directly over the historic building, but since then nothing has been done to repair the building itself or bring it back into use. The Society once again urge the Council to issue an Urgent Works Notice without delay.
The steeple of Central Hall is a city landmark at the top of Corporation Street. This huge building of terracotta has lovely sculptures around the entrance as well as corner turrets like Indian chattris. Completed in 1903 at a cost of over £96,000 to designs by Birmingham architects Ewen and J. Alfred Harper, it was the main place of worship for the city’s Methodist congregation, and could seat 2,500 people. In 1989 it became the Que Club, a favourite Birmingham venue for performances by many famous artists including David Bowie, Blur and Massive Attack until it closed in 2017.
Plans for conversion of Central Hall to a hotel were approved by Birmingham City Council in 2018. These were never implemented. Revised plans for conversion to a hotel and events venue were then approved in 2017, and the site acquired by new owners in 2022, yet this Grade II* listed building still remains vacant, unloved and vandalised. The tower has plants growing from it and is covered in graffiti. Central Hall is on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. Once again, the Society urges the Council to issue an Urgent Works Notice without delay.
It seems that until the City Council is able and willing to issue notices and follow them up with effective enforcement action, these important heritage buildings and many others like them will continue to deteriorate and many risk being totally lost. Without this action by the Council, wonderful Victorian and Edwardian heritage is likely to disappear for ever. This must not be allowed to happen. Current and future generations of Birmingham people and visitors to the city will be much poorer without them.
