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Independent music venues in Digbeth such as XOYO Birmingham, Luna Springs, Mama Roux’s and The Night Owl are under threat under Network Rail’s Midlands Rail Hub proposals
The West Midlands mayor hit back after thousands protested against planning proposals that would leave a number of Birmingham’s independent music hotspots at risk of demolition.
Network Rail’s Midlands Rail Hub has put forward a proposal to alter the Bordesley Viaduct in Digbeth, leaving popular venues such as XOYO Birmingham, Luna Springs, Mama Roux’s and The Night Owl under threat.
Advocacy organization Save Our Scene has encouraged people to write to Mayor Richard Parker to ask for a timeline, assurances that he will push Network Rail to redraw plans, and if there will be compensation for affected businesses. Now he responded.
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The Save Our Scene rave van is calling for support for Digbeth and will be at the street party(Image: Digbeth Music Venues Alliance)
Save Our Scene’s Instagram writes: “West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, says his office has received a ‘significant volume of correspondence’ from people concerned about Digbeth’s venues and independent businesses.
“Parker said: ‘My priority is to ensure the West Midlands secures the transport improvements it needs, as well as supporting the businesses, places and cultural assets that contribute so much to our economy, our communities and our identity.’
“He told the partners on the rail scheme that the concerns of affected businesses and cultural organizations ‘need to be taken seriously’.”
Under the proposals from Network Rail, a new £1.75 billion railway line would demolish or displace over 50 independent businesses in the Lower Trinity Street and Bordesley Viaduct area of Digbeth.
The locations said they were offered no relocation support, no guaranteed compensation and no clear timeline.
(Image: Birmingham Live)
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Save Our Scene said this is not a protest against improved rail infrastructure. It’s a stand against the blatant dismantling of Birmingham’s cultural identity with no plan for what comes next.
Over 3,500 responded before the first consultation on Friday, August 28, and over 4,000 emails were sent to local MP Shabana Mahmood.
While the next consultation is not until the summer of 2027, Save Our Scene insisted on its website that Parker’s pressure must be applied “now”.
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
The organization acknowledged that the West Midlands mayor’s “recognition” was a “step forward”, but it declared “commitment is what we need to see” and promised to build things up “before the next consultation”.
This comes after a protest party last weekend (Sunday, October 11) where the vulnerable music hubs formed the Digbeth Music Venues Alliance to fight the demolition plans.
The Alliance joined Save Our Scene in collaboration with KISS to throw the biggest block party Lower Trinity Street has ever seen.
