Major change to 'vibrant' city area in boost to night-time economy

A total of 75 new high-powered street lights will be installed along two new Digbeth walking routes in a boost to the area's 'vibrant night-time economy.' The scheme, funded by a HS2 grant, will help to create brighter streets in Digbeth, improving accessibility for people walking through the area near HS2's flagship Birmingham Curzon Street station.

Work is currently under way to install the new lighting columns, which will be eight-metres tall and have an illuminated spike at the top – projecting above the LED street lights. The different coloured lights will indicate two new walking routes through the area.

A yellow route will direct pedestrians from Allison Street, near Moor Street Station, towards the Custard Factory, while a second pink route will lead from Allison Street towards Fazeley Street, River Street and Digbeth’s bars and restaurants. A grant of over £210,000 has been awarded to Birmingham City Council from the HS2 Business and Local Economy Fund to complete the project.

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Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Due for completion by spring 2025, the illuminated routes will be located near to Birmingham’s new Curzon Street Station, currently under construction. Coun Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for transport and environment at Birmingham City Council, said: "This is a fantastic project, with the Digbeth business community that has been impacted by the HS2 construction works closely involved in its development.

"It supports the wider investment that Birmingham is making in the area and demonstrates the importance of the vibrant night-time economy in Digbeth."

The Digbeth lighting project is one of over 300 initiatives to be granted funding from HS2’s Community & Environment (CEF) and Business & Local Economy Fund (BLEF). Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Fund, added: "The funding programme is delighted to support such a worthwhile project for local businesses.

"Digbeth’s lighting project will bring a variety of benefits for local people and the area’s night-time economy. I’m glad that we can support the continued development and success of local businesses."