DIGBETH PARTIES ON AS RECESSION LOOMS

10-11-2008

After the weekend of the Gigbeth Festival and Beats Not Bombs event at the Custard Factory, Josie LeBlond forsees a bright future for Digbeth – ironically provoked by the recession.

Could the recession silence cries of ‘regeneration,’ ‘hotels,’ ‘flats’ and ‘shopping complexes’ that have struck mortal fear into the hearts of Digbeth dwellers for the past six years?

Two weeks ago dire financial circumstances forced council officials to admit that development projects were likely to be put on hold until funding was made available.

Capital for the £300 million wholesale markets development project was to be generated through land sales until the unprecedented crash in September and October triggered a sharp drop in land value and a freeze on available investment. It is now unknown whether the sale of this site will go ahead.

Local activists, who have consistently raised concerns about plans to gentrify the area, were optimistic at a meeting of the Digbeth Residents Association last week.

Concentrating on Bradford Street, 50% of which has been demolished to pave the way for development, residents put forward plans for a community arts project to wrestle control of the area back from developers.

According to the project brief, residents hope to have a say in the design of the development and this hiatus in action could be just the opportunity they have been waiting for.

If residents, businesses and venues in the area can successfully use the council’s financial weakness to their advantage, they could exert pressure to alter the development plans to be more in-keeping with the Digbeth vibe.

Fears that the noise complaints by an influx of residents into new flats would herald the end of Digbeth’s clubs and pubs can be laid to rest for the time-being.

This weekend saw a double celebration of Digbeth’s live music scene as party-goers descended for the live music Gigbeth festival at the Custard Factory and the Drop Beats Not Bombs event at the Rainbow.

IS THE RECESSION A CHANCE FOR DIGBETH “AS WE KNOW IT” SURVIVE? DISCUSS THIS ON THE STIRRER FORUM