Interview with developers behind indoor markets proposals as plans submitted

Developers behind Birmingham Bull Ring Indoor Market proposals address concerns as major plans lodged

Alexander Brock - Local Democracy Reporter | Wednesday 25th September 2024 9:58am

Developers have responded to concerns as proposals are lodged to transform the site of Birmingham’s Bull Ring Indoor Market to provide new housing.

Traders at the market were previously warned the plans would propose the demolition of the existing building and the construction of new ones to be used either as residential apartments or student accommodation – or a combination of both.

Hammerson, who own the site and have now submitted a planning application, has said its Edgbaston Street Gardens project would provide ‘much-needed’ city centre homes if approved, alongside new gardens, amenities and commercial space.

The developers added there would also be new public realm surrounding the site, linking the Bullring to the recently-approved Smithfield development and other key neighbourhoods.

The Smithfield scheme, which will transform the former Birmingham wholesale market site, includes proposals for a new market.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this month, Hammerson addressed the concerns of residents who may be worried about the loss of the historic markets.

“Look, we understand the purpose of Birmingham as a retail centre,” Harry Badham, chief development and asset repositioning officer at Hammerson said. “Markets are clearly an absolute integral part of that.

“I should say the markets are not our direct relationship.

“That’s not to dismiss them at all but it’s just to say that when we looked at this, we worked closely with the city.

“The city’s plan on how to consolidate the markets have been a key part of planning Smithfield.”

He went on to say: “We want to work with the markets and consolidate the markets as a key node that sits on the Birmingham city centre map and integrates and reinforces what we do in the Bullring.”

Asked if there would be efforts to update the market traders, Mr Badham said: “Absolutely – as we go through that process of consultation through the planning, we are very familiar with making sure we deal with the stakeholders and we manage that through the process.”

He added that Hammerson would be working “very closely” with the city council with regards to the timelines for both this project and the Smithfield development.

On how the decision will be made between residential apartments or student accommodation, he added: “It’s going to be a needs-based assessment.

“When we start getting into the detail, it’s dependent on what else happens in the city and the demand.”

In a statement issued this week, he said Hammerson had spent the last three years “repositioning the Bullring” by investing in underused  space and bringing new brands and experiences to the city.

“We have been delighted with the  response from customers to this transformation and we continue to see the benefit to the city centre,” he said.

“We continually identify opportunities at our destinations to meet the needs of our customers  and the cities we operate in, particularly through repositioning underused areas.

“These outline proposals at Edgbaston Street for a highly underused car park show the opportunity to work with Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders to enhance the city and bring new homes and landscaping that meet the aspirations of the city’s growth and its public realm.” 

Dav Bansal, partner at architects Howells, added: “Edgbaston Street Gardens presents the  opportunity to unlock hundreds of new homes in a central location that has excellent transport links  and is set within an established area of local amenities including leisure, culture and retail.

“It will transform an underutilised multi-storey carpark site into an integral part of the wider regeneration that is reshaping this southern quarter of the city.”

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