Big City Plan Talk - Latest Comments in Question R1

Re: Question R1

RichBatsford — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:31:00 -0000

yes - alternative, indepdent premises with their own unique style and character need to be encouaraged somehow.

Better places to eat.

More good music venues (restrain Environmental and Planning from building residential flats everywhere then restricting the practices of established music venues).

Re: Question R1

Alex Carruthers — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:26:34 -0000

Birmingham has a lot of talent in the areas of original art, crafts and media products.

I think it's important we encourage local and young talent. Perhaps this could be utilised through the idea of street markets.
We could have a local market that allows people who create their own art work, food, clothes, accessories etc. to have their own stalls to sell work. This could also be linked in with university talent and a way for students to get their work into the market place more easily.

I definately think that Birmingham city centre lacks anything that seperates it form any other city centre. The buildings and space is great but without anything original, indepedent or unique people will just be disappointed.

Re: Question R1

Trocadero — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:13:22 -0000

Repeat of earlier comment, but now registeuing.
We need alternatives to chain shops, We need shop
s where creative people in any area can develop what they sell be it imported, or crafted locally (and thus supporting other local creators). To be able to do this we need low cost shop units (possible rental rates in proportion to turnover achieved eg by a local tax on turnover or earnings.

Let's get back to producing as well as selling on the premises - butchering, baking, ready meals for microwave reheating, locally sourced vegetables, etc.

The retailers of ready cooked pasties, etc in the city turn out fatty under cooked offerings as opposed to food created with pride by the owner of the shop.

Let's create a city of character by these talented artisan businesses. But, support to set up and gradually increase costs according to revenue is necessary.

Re: Question R1

Geoff Caine — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:05:03 -0000

We need alternatives to chain shops, We need shops where creative people in any area can develop what they sell be it imported, or crafted locally (and thus supporting other local creators). To be able to do this we need low cost shop units (possible rental rates in proportion to turnover achieved eg by a local tax on turnover or earnings.

Let's get back to producing as well as selling on the premises - butchering, baking, ready meals for microwave reheating, locally sourced vegetables, etc.

The retailers of ready cooked pasties, etc in the city turn out fatty under cooked offerings as opposed to food created with pride by the owner of the shop.

Let's create a city of character by these talented artisan businesses. But, support to set up and gradually increase costs according to revenue is necessary.

Re: Question R1

Joanna — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:47:00 -0000

We desperately need somewhere for smaller, independant retailers. Birmingham city centre depressingly could be any other High Street in any UK town.

I would love to see something like The Lanes in Brighton being developed in Birmingham. Not only could it be a fantastic place for develooping new businesses, it is also a tourist attraction.