Digbeth venues throw a block party as they fight demolition plans

Music venues on Lower Trinity Street in Digbeth are holding an all-day block party today, Sunday 11 October, to showcase the district and campaign against a rail scheme that could see them demolished.

The Save Digbeth Block Party runs from 2pm to 9pm at venues on the street, with DJs and other performers, in partnership with the radio station Kiss and the campaign group Save Our Scene. The venues say they are holding it because "they might not get another chance".

The alliance

The newly formed Digbeth Music Venues Alliance brings together XOYO Birmingham, Luna Springs, Club Colette, Mama Roux's and The Night Owl. All are on Lower Trinity Street, a key location in the Bordesley Chords project.

The alliance says around 50 businesses face demolition or displacement, and that the venues have been offered no relocation support, no guaranteed compensation and no clear timeline.

"Digbeth is essential to Birmingham's creative and cultural identity," it said. "The venues on Lower Trinity Street have spent decades building something rare: independent, culturally significant spaces, particularly important to the younger people of this city. These cannot be demolished without something equivalent in place. We are not against progress, we are against progress that treats culture as collateral damage."

What are the Bordesley Chords?

The Bordesley Chords are short new sections of railway that would extend the Bordesley Viaduct in Digbeth, so that trains from the south of the city could run into Moor Street station. They are part of Network Rail's wider £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub project.

At the moment, passengers on the Camp Hill line, including those using the new stations at Pineapple Road, Kings Heath and Moseley Village, travel to and from New Street, and there are only two direct trains an hour. The chords could allow up to six an hour.

The rail scheme's response

Mark Cuzner, a director of the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, which is leading the scheme, said the railway was there to connect people with communities, businesses and venues, "including music, nightlife and cultural scenes like those in Digbeth".

"We fully understand the uncertainty some businesses and venues are facing about what the current proposals could mean for their future and our first round of consultation was vital to collect everyone's views," he said. "We are carefully considering everything raised to refine our plans and help make the viaduct extension a positive part of Digbeth's future with the least amount of impact on the area."

What happens next

The next public consultation is planned for summer 2027, and construction is not expected to start until 2030 at the earliest.

Why Digbeth matters

Digbeth's former factories and warehouses have become home to clubs, live music venues, studios and street art, and the area hosts events from small gigs to large festivals. Campaigners say grassroots venues are where many musicians and DJs begin their careers, and that they have been closing across the country because of rising costs and redevelopment. Tickets for today's event are available through Save Our Scene.