As Birmingham marked Ozzy Day, uncertainty continues to linger over The Crown pub in Station Street, known as the place where Black Sabbath performed their first gig.
There has been a high-profile campaign to ‘save’ the street and its venues, with calls to reopen the pub only intensifying after Ozzy Osbourne’s death last year.
“John Bright Street, Hill Street and Station Street were the centre of the musical universe,” Darren John, from the Save Station Street campaign, said last year.
“You can trace Led Zeppelin, ELO, Judas Priest, UB40, The Beat, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Winwood, Sabbath and dozens more to that triangle of venues.
“The Crown should be the inspiration and platform for a new wave of Brummie music and Hall of Fame stars while shouting about the best of local culture.”
Toyoko Inn, the owners of The Crown, has previously insisted that it has long term plans to not only restore the pub but build a hotel too.
Their ownership of the historic pub has been divisive however, attracting criticism from campaigners who argue there’s been a lack of progress at the site.
But those in the city council’s new leadership – a minority coalition of Lib Dems, Greens and various independents – believe there is a fresh opportunity to create a “vibrant future” for Station Street.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week, Cllr Deborah Harries – the new cabinet member for culture and heritage – said “constructive” discussions around The Crown were “positively moving forwards”.
She also said the council’s new administration were looking at the future of Station Street more widely, saying they preparing five new local listing nominations, including The Electric Cinema.
Cllr Harries went on to say that they were also open to seeing whether the public realm on the street could be more “pedestrian friendly”.
“I welcome the fact [council] officers are still having conversations with Toyoko Inns and other stakeholders,” she said. “I think those discussions are positively moving forwards.”
On Station Street, she said: “We’ve got some small steps that we can take. It was disappointing that Historic England didn’t list The Electric so we are looking at local listing and going back to Historic England.
“We’ve got the first Ozzy Day, there’s been lots of activities over the past month – [Ozzy’s] throne has come, there’s photographs at the top of New Street.
“All good stuff a year on from Ozzy’s sad passing.
“But if we can do something at The Crown with partners and Toyoko Inns, however we can make that work, that was remembering Ozzy and the birthplace of Black Sabbath but tied into new bands so it can have a life beyond.
“It’s a really significant cultural street.”
Asked about frustration from campaigners over the perceived lack of progress at The Crown, Cllr Harries said: “I feel more confident about it.
“Have I sat in a meeting with Toyoko Inns, no I haven’t. Have I talked to officers who are in those conversations, yes.
“We’ve made a point of talking to [campaigners] so I am determined to do something.
“I think we can look at the whole street. I am pushing and I will push – I do feel comfortable those conversations are happening.”
Ladywood Cllr Raheem Humphreys, the deputy cabinet member for culture and heritage, said concerns had been raised over Station Street feeling unsafe and was open to looking at making it more pedestrian friendly.
“It’s so close to the centre of the city,” Cllr Humphreys said. “It’s such an important walking route between Southside and the Central Heart and it’s got all of these important cultural resources.
“So many people in that area feel like it’s not a safe place or welcoming for them. It’s not what I want for my area.”
In a statement issued to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Harries said: “Birmingham has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect some of the buildings and places that tell the story of our great city whilst creating a vibrant future for Station Street and Southside.
“We are taking positive steps in relation to Central Methodist Hall, including working with Historic England to secure additional support, preparing five new local listing nominations including The Electric Cinema, and continuing constructive discussions regarding the future of The Crown.
“Alongside this, we have launched a new online local listing nomination process to give local people a stronger voice in identifying the heritage assets that matter most to them.
“Our ambition is to see historic buildings protected, celebrated and placed at the heart of a thriving cultural quarter that residents can be proud of.”
On Toyoko Inn’s long-term plans to restore The Crown, a document last year said: “At the time of writing Toyoko Inn are finalising their plans of the wider site.
“It is the intention that the scope of the future project will deliver two connected and coherent elements.”
It continued that they included a new hotel with around 300 beds on the existing car park at the rear of the site and the restoration of The Crown.
“The pub is a historically important site and its new vision will reflect and celebrate this heritage,” it added.
Comments
Add a comment