FEATURE: ‘Phase One’ of WLCA Enterprise Hub development officially launched, securing the future of a 100 year old asset in Erdington Town Centre

Words by Ed King / Pics by Joe Marchant

On Thursday 18 July, Witton Lodge Community Association officially launched ‘Phase One’ of their latest suburban development – transforming the near century old Erdington Swimming Baths into a vibrant Enterprise Hub.

With a projected cost of £6.5m, the ribbon was finally cut on the ambitious project which has been in planning stages for years and survived a global health crisis, local authority financial collapse, and a change in national government.

Erdington Local previously reported from the July opening ceremony, click here to read.

But as Birmingham watches the garage sale of its public assets, to buy sand for the city’s multi-million pound financial meltdown, the future of Erdington Swimming Baths is now very publicly secured – bringing with it a brand new community hub for local businesses and entrepreneurs in Erdington Town Centre.

The word ‘gamechanger’ is being said, several times, by several different people – as a group of local stakeholders, elected officials, and community groups are introduced to the new Enterprise Hub from Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA).

The project, which now official enters ‘Phase One’, is set to turn the near 100 year old Swimming Baths into a centre of commerce and community for startup businesses and freelance creatives.

It’s hyperbole, ‘gamechanger’, and used so often it’s in danger of devaluing its meaning. But this time, in this place, after all it took to get here and with all it could mean to Erdington, it feels like an appropriate description. Just look at what The Custard Factory did for Digbeth.

Plus, the project has committed to not only saving the historic building but keeping “as much of the memory and history of these Baths” during its development – tells Rob Annabelle from Axis Design Architects, who worked on the Eco Hub with WLCA and was brought in at the Enterprise Hub concept stage before handing over to the Digbeth’s Intervention Architecture.

“We went in with a light touch,” continues Rob, “inserting something into the building that didn’t need to strip any internal surfaces out.

“So, the original tiling and details from the Baths would remain. The original structure would be in place. And I suppose fundamentally, using the depth of the pool space so it maintains the edge of the pool – so it could still feel like a swimming pool, from the shallow end to the deep end.” There’s probably a metaphor relative to the world of commerce in there somewhere, but let’s have a look back at the money.

Erdington Local first reported on the Enterprise Hub back in October 2022, when WLCA has secured £795,000 from Birmingham City Council (BCC) Community Infrastructure Levy – following a previous £2m commitment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Both have different figureheads now, with their predecessors respectively booted and voted out of office. And both are still here to celebrate and support the ‘Phase One’ launch of the project, which has fought for survival through a global health crisis and the effective bankruptcy of the city it needed to support it.

Recently elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker is quick to recognise the work done by Andy Street to help get the Enterprise Hub over the line, deftly addressing the support the region’s erstwhile Mayor gave the project.

Cllr John Cotton, the now Council Leader, is less vocal about the Shard End councillor who came before him – although BCC has now matched the WMCA investment of £2m to support the initial development, an increase of £1,205,000 from the cheque on the table when Cllr Ward was running the city. Mind you, a lot has changed financially in Birmingham since then.

“It’s so incredibly exciting for Erdington,” Cllr Cotton tells Erdington Local, after coming out of his tour of the swimming pool space now under development, “clearly this is about bringing a heritage asset – something at the heart of the community – back into use.”

And what about the city’s heritage assets, many of which now have a starting price tag and could be under the hammer anytime soon? How does it feel to be saving and not selling a red brick building in the city’s portfolio?

“I think this also pays tribute to the tremendous assets that we have out in our community,” adds Cllr Cotton. “Organisations like Witton Lodge that have been driving this forward and are rooted in the heart of our communities.

“And certainly, as we address some of the challenges we face as a Council that partnership with organisations like Witton Lodge, and many others across the city, is going to be crucial to addressing those big challenges we know we still face.”

The elephant in the room, at last. Erdington Local has been asking the Council’s press office for clarification on their funding for the project, with only months of “we’ll get back to you” and then silence.

But as nearly one and a quarter million more has been granted from the city’s coffers, after Birmingham became effectively bankrupted, we ask again. Face to face, can the city’s top politician now confirm there is actually enough cash in the Council kitty?

“That (BCC investment money) was agreed in July of last year,” explains the Council Leader, “through a Cabinet report and was subsequently signed off through our Section 151 processes that we’ve got in place during the current financial challenges.

“So that money is accounted for, allocated, and available to support the project.”

He adds: “I think it’s got a massive impact, when you’re talking about creating jobs and opportunities for people. Also, the money will input into the local supply chain with the refurbishment to the building… there’s a huge multiplier effect to all of this.

“And fundamentally you’ve got something that’s a long-term heritage asset for this part of the city that’s got a bright future – but is also building bright futures for all the people who will come through its doors. So, I think it’s an absolute win win.”

Surrounding us are the team from Witton Lodge Community Association, who no doubt mirror the sentiments of the Council Leader. And who’s tenacity and belief in the project have made it the only real development on Erdington High Street since the area lost out on two multi-million pound government regeneration bids – the Future High Streets Fund in late 2020 and the Levelling Up Fund in early 2023.

It is worth noting, that since Erdington Local has been on shelf – over four years ago – WLCA has also managed to convert a century old gatekeeper’s cottage by Witton Lakes, that was in serious Council neglected disrepair, into a new Eco Hub and community café.

They also took over the abandoned Walk In Centre on Erdington High Street, once the axe finally dropped and the facility was moved by NHS bosses to Stockland Green.

And now it’s Erdington Swimming Baths, which you could have bet good money would have ended up on the commercial market – a place the neighbouring Erdington Library is in significant danger of finding itself.

“In all honesty, it’s still sinking in,” tells Witton Lodge Community Association CEO, Afzal Hussain. “When you’ve been at something for such a long time and you reach this milestone – which is huge, in the sense that we can really look to the future with confidence.

He adds: “We’ve got the funds secured; we’ve got the plans in place, we’ve got the teams in place, we’ve got the community on side… it feels great. It feels great that we’re able to take that next step.

“And today (‘Phase One’ launch event) I think is really important, not least because of the development at the front, with the ‘pocket park’ (a community involved project to brighten up the frontage whilst building work takes place inside).

“But it’s a way to start to engage, reengage, and reconnect with our local businesses and communities, and build that support over time.”

And after over five years of planning and negotiating, the money now in the bank will deliver the core of the project – turning the central pool hall into a space for local entrepreneurs, with a range of options from hot desks to stand alone units to house a variety of sized businesses.

But what about the rest, where’s the £2.5m for the project’s bells and whistles coming from? “We’re always looking,” continues the WLCA Chief Executive Officer. “I think the difference is this, with the £4m (from BCC and WMCA) we will be able to preserve the building and restore the roof.

“We’ll be able to create a café, open it up to the public, and really convert the pool with the co-working spaces, the pods… so that means the project works as it stands.”

And the patience already shown by WLCA and the project’s partners will stand them in good stead, because “even with a fair wind it will still take us a couple of years before the building is open” admits Afzal Hussain.

He adds: “But we now know the building will be open – and I think that’s the gamechanger.”

And there’s that word again.

Erdington Enterprise Hub ‘Phase One’ launch event / Pics by Joe Marchant

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

NEWS: Witton Lodge Community Association officially launch ‘phase one’ of new Enterprise Hub

Words by Ed King / Pics by Joe Marchant

On Thursday 18 July, Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) officially launched ‘phase one’ of their new Enterprise Hub, transforming the old Erdington Baths into a community workspace and entrepreneurial hotspot.

Attending the launch were local partner organisations and stake holders, representatives from local community groups and religious bodies, recently elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, and Birmingham City Council Leader John Cotton.

WLCA hope the ambitious development, which will give Erdington entrepreneurs a place to take affordable office space or utilise hot desk facilities, will not only breathe life into Erdington’s High Street but “futureproof” the cherished swimming baths from private sale or development.

Once complete, the creative centre will also house a crèche and onsite play area – giving professionals with young families and a place to work from whilst meeting their childcare responsibilities.

There are further plans for the Enterprise Hub to house a community café, and an outdoor area for street food markets, music, arts, and community events.

The development has been four years in planning, with talks beginning before the Covid pandemic and continuing through the city’s financial crisis.

Despite the global health crisis and Birmingham’s own fiscal meltdown, WLCA have continued to push through with the project – recently securing £2m from the West Midlands Combined Authority and £2m for Birmingham City Council to bankrolling ‘phase one’.

The money now on the table will guarantee the Enterprise Hub will open with the office space, hot desks, community café, and the majority of its planned facilities – with a further £2.5m needed to add the additional resources to complete the overall plan.

And whilst Birmingham City Council is looking at assets it can sell to address its multi-million pound financial crisis, the highest ranking politician in the city has confirmed the £2m coming from the Council coffers for the Witton Lodge Enterprise Hub is guaranteed.

Speaking to Erdington Local at the official launch, Council Leader John Cotton confirmed: “That (£2m) was agreed in July of last year through a Cabinet report and was subsequently signed off through our Section 151 processes that we’ve got in place during the current financial challenges

“So, that money is accounted for and allocated.”

Standing with Cllr John Cotton as they toured the development site, Witton Lodge Chief Officer Afzal Hussan explained that “even with a fair wind” the Enterprise Hub will take a couple of years to fullyopen.

And that they were “always looking” for the further £2.5m investment for the final plans, with the money coming from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority, after over four years of planning the Enterprise Hub in Erdington is now a reality.

He added: “We now know the building will be open, and I think that’s the gamechanger. With the £4m we will be able to preserve the building and restore the roof. We’ll be able to create a café, open it up to the public, and really convert the pool with the co-working spaces and the pods.

“So, that means the project works as it stands.”

For more on the Witton Lodge Enterprise Hub visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

NEWS: Newly elected West Midlands Mayor wants people “to be proud of Erdington High Street”

Profile and campaign pics supplied by Birmingham Labour

Newly elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker wants to improve the fortunes of Erdington High Street and for people “to be proud” of the once bustling retail hotspot.

Labour’s first ever West Midlands Mayor won an incredibly tight election against the Conservative and two time elected Andy Street, but now he just wants to get on with the job.

Mr Parker has plans to introduce new policies and innovations to attract businesses to high streets like Erdington’s across the region, which will encourage residents to shop local and invest in their retail community.

He told Erdington Local: “I want people to be proud of Erdington High Street again.

“We will utilise new powers from a Labour government to bring empty shops on our high streets back into use and to help businesses to set up – in partnership with Business Improvement Districts and councils via a range of measures such as compulsory purchasing orders, ‘meanwhile’ uses, and flexible business rates.”

He added: “I want to establish a new Local High Streets Taskforce to ‘innovate and regenerate’ empty shops and to identify derelict sites that can be put back into use.

“We will establish an empty property register for our high streets and a proactive introductions system, which will work with partners to search for occupiers and promote empty spaces.”

The former business consultant and Price Waterhouse Cooper partner is also a big fan of market stalls as a way of revitalising high streets and has pledged to establish a new fund to help support market traders across the region.

Erdington Business Improvement District has itself been exploring plans for a new market to be held on the pedestrianised area by the Co-op supermarket.

Anti-social behaviour is also high on the list for the new West Midlands Mayor, and whilst his office lacks the powers of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) – which would have been absorbed by the Mayor’s office if it had not been recently blocked in the High Court by the PCC Simon Foster – the newly elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker wants to fight the scourge of anti-social behaviour and the impact it has on communities.

Mr Parker added: “I will work with the Police and Crime Commissioner, councils, faith and community groups, and West Midlands Police to make the streets of Erdington, Kingstanding, and Castle Vale safer.

“Anti-social behaviour blights the lives of many people and we know that having visible policing out on the streets tackling crime, gathering intelligence, and cracking down on anti-social behaviour is essential to making our communities safer.

“We will guarantee town centre patrols dedicated to their areas.”

For more on West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker visit www.facebook.com/RichardParkerWM

NEWS: West Midlands has its first Labour Mayor as Richard Parker wins by narrow margin

Pics sourced from candidates and Erdington Local archives

The West Midlands has a Labour Mayor for the first time.

Labour candidate Richard Parker narrowly beat the two-term Conservative Mayor Andy Street, the only man to previously hold the role after winning the first contest in 2017.

Due to a recount and technical difficulties, the announcement at Birmingham International Convention Centre was delayed by over seven hours.

This was also the first time the Mayoral election was decided by the First Past the Post voting system, unlike the second preferences style poll in previous elections.

But once the final results were verified, Labour’s Richard Parker clinched 225,590 votes to the Conservative’s Andy Street’s 224,082 votes – in an astonishingly close result.

Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob, who Erdington Local was amongst the first to profile in their race for West Midlands Mayor, was the clear third place choice – clocking up 69, 621 votes.

Reform UK’s Elaine Williams came fourth with 34, 471 votes.

Coming in fifth was Gravelly Hill resident and Green Party candidate Siobhan Harper-Nunes, who earned 31,036 votes.

Ms Harper-Nunes fought a fierce campaign without major backing or finances from her national party, and previously told Erdington Local she believed “just running is winning” as it allowed her to place what she felt were important issues on the agenda.

To read a full our LOCAL PROIFILE with Siobhan Harper-Nunes, click here.

The Liberal Democrats came in last with Sunny Virk convincing 12,176 people to put a cross next to his name.

There were 4,757 rejected ballots in the Mayoral elections, compared to 23,000 in the Police and Crime Commissioners election which was announced earlier in the day and saw Labour’s candidate Simon Foster re-elected.

The results from both elections, held on 2 May, mean this is the first time since the West Midlands Mayor and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) offices were created that the same political party holds both offices.

However, the result in the race for West Midlands Mayor could have been a more conclusive for Labour without the impact from independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob – who galvanised communities across the West Midlands who felt anger over Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on refusing to call a ceasefire in Gaza last year.

Mr Yakoob won his third place through on a prominent social media, anti-Labour, pro-Palestine, George Galloway backed campaign, that only began four weeks ago but was helped by experienced ex-Labour councillors and members.

However, one the votes were counted, and recounted, the job of West Midladns Mayor and Chaor of the West Midlands Combined Authority went to Labour’s Richard Parker. After being declared the next West Midlands Mayor, MrParker said: “This is the most important thing I will ever do.

“This week people voted for the person and the party. They recognised that a Labour mayor can make a positive difference in this region.

“I believe a Labour Mayor working with a Labour Government will get this region back to its best again.”

Acknowledging his party’s massive loss of trust of the Muslim community, who voted for Mr Yakoob in unprecedented numbers for an independent candidate, Mr Parker further pledged to: “Build back trust within the Muslim community.”

Offering warm words to his vanquished opponent, he added: “Andy Street. You’ve led this region through a number of great challenges.

“You deserve credit through building up the combined authority into the powerhouse it is today, through the economic shocks and for leading this region when it came out of covid.

“I absolutely believe that whilst our politics are different, Andy, we both have the best interests of the West Midlands at heart.”

Mr Street responded: “I wish you all strength and wisdom as you take over the reins.

“It has been my honour to serve and to lead this place for the last seven years. I hope I’ve done it with dignity and integrity and I hope I’ve bequeathed to Richard a combined authority – and indeed a role – to which young, aspiring leaders will want to aspire one day.”

Whilst the delayed results to the count were coming in, there was frustration online as the West Midlands Combined Authority live election stream cut out after a day of gaffes, glitches, and technical difficulties which meant viewers could not see the speeches of Mr Street, Mr Yakoob, and other candidates.

However, after the final count was in Mr Yakoob told Erdington Local: “This has been an incredible four weeks. Imagine if we had started three months ago, we started with what people called was just a TikTok campaign.

“Well, we got nearly 70,000 votes and almost lost Labour what should have been an easy victory.

“Thanks to everyone for voting, I believe I got more young people registered and voting than any other candidate.

“Thank you for everyone in Erdington who supported my campaign, we had plenty volunteers from Erdington, and it looks like a lot of voters too.”

An official poll card for government elections and a UK photo driving licence as prove of identity.

Mr Yakoob added: “You wait till the General Election; I will be back.”

The next General Election is set to be held before January 2025.

The turnout for the West Midlands Mayoral election was 29.8% across the West Midlands, and in Birmingham it was 28.5 per cent.

For more on Richard Parker visit www.facebook.com/RichardParkerWM

NEWS: West Midlands Mayor Andy Street set to invest £400m in social housing in Stockland Green and across the region

Words and pics by Erdington Local editorial team

West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, has secured £400m from Central Government in an ambitious new plan that will see the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) invest hundreds of millions in social housing across the region.

Mr Street announced the new policy at social housing provider Nehemiah Housing Association, an organisation based in Great Barr and with properties in the Erdington constituency.

Launching his mayoral election campaign at Stockland Green School on 21 March, the West Midlands mayor further identified Stockland Green as an area the WMCA will be looking at on “how to improve the housing stock”.

The plan, which was secured ahead of the mayoral election on 2 May, will be the first time the West Midlands Combined Authority has directly funded the building of social housing.

It became possible after Mr Street petitioned Government for £400m investment into the WMCA Affordable Housing Programme, which had reportedly previously only been allocated 50% of that budget, as part of the Deeper Devolution Deal agreed last year.

 

Having secured the multi-million pound social housing investment fund, which will be overseen by the West Midlands Mayor, Mr Street hopes the new plan will attract national media attention and become the blueprint for social housing provision across the country.

Mr Street told Erdington Local: “I want to do this because housing is key to solving so many problems in our region. People might find it strange a Conservative Mayor would care so much about social housing, but I know we could do so much more.”

He added: “The £400m I secured is key, it was a red line for me when signing the Deeper Devolution Deal with the Government.”

The chronic lack of quality social housing across Birmingham is a major factor why Erdington became a hotspot for Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs), assisted living properties, and exempt accommodation.

Now a widely reported and recognised national concern, Erdington Local first covered the frightening reality of those living in HMOs and Exempt Accommodation in August 2020 – with a series articles written by a reporter who has lived experience of the problems facing thousands across the country.

(Click here to read the first story in the series, titled ‘EXPLOITED: HMOs – when greed meets vulnerability, carving up communities for a profit’.)

Following the initial article published by Erdington Local, many other media outlets then covered the topic in depth – with titles from Birmingham Mail to The Guardian all shining a much needed light on the issue.

Mr Street continued: “This kind of plan is a real third term policy as we have been working towards this since I was first elected.

“Housing has always been top of my agenda, prompted by Erdington Local’s investigation into HMOs and assisted living I lobbied the Select Committee in Parliament to look into the problem.”

He added: “This policy is about building new homes, but we will continue to look at how to improve the housing stock in places like Stockland Green.

“This is about building quality social homes for rent for people who want to have a home to call their own – people like key workers, nurses, and young families.

“By partnering with organisations like Nehemiah, we will be building real communities too – that are nurtured by supportive housing associations.”

Despite securing the funding, the WMCA will not actually be building new homes or improving existing social housing themselves – but would instead partner with organisations who have experience in the sector, such as Nehemiah Housing Association, Witton Lodge Community Association, or The Pioneer Group on Castle Vale.

Using funding from the Affordable Homes Programme, Mr Street has promised to triple the current rate of 500-700 homes built by housing associations in the West Midlands to 1,700 per year by 2028.

Mr Street launched the policy at Nehemiah Housing Association, which the organisation’s website describes as providing ‘quality, affordable housing together with wellbeing services to ethnically diverse communities across.’

The housing association has more than 1,250 properties serving the multicultural African, Caribbean, Asian, Irish, and European communities across the West Midlands, including Erdington.

Martin Levermore, Vice Chair of Nehemiah Housing Association, said: “We are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year. Social housing is so important but Government policy changes so often it can be hard to keep up.

“It’s incredibly important that we build enough Social Housing, and the devolution of funding for Affordable Housing could be a game changer for the region. Housing associations like Nehemiah not only build homes, we build communities; so we look forward to seeing how we can play a role going forward.”

For more on Andy Street visit www.andystreet.org.uk

For more on the West Midlands Combined Authority visit www.wmca.org.uk

Click here to learn more about the West Midlands Mayoral elections on 2 May.

NEWS: Andy Street announces £2.4m careers advisor fund during mayoral election campaign visit to Stockland Green School

Words and on location pics by Erdington Local

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street chose Stockland Green School to make his first major policy announcement of his election campaign.

Mr Street visited the Slade Road secondary on the first day of his official campaigning for the mayoral election to announce if re-elected on 2 May the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will pay for 40 careers advisers for schools in some of the region’s most challenged areas.

The plan has been costed at £2.4m with funding already identified by the WMCA.

Mr Street announced the policy at Stockland Green School due to its successful careers programme, which was launched after the legacy of lockdown saw work experience plummet and face-to-face careers sessions with pupils drastically decline.

Mr Street told Erdington Local: “This school has been praised by Ofsted for its commitment to careers advice, but sadly across the West Midlands the same not can be said for all schools.

“There are still too many young people who are not getting the right opportunities and guidance during the critical years when they are deciding what to do for work.”

He added: “30 per cent of our children have not had work experience; one in six have never had face-to-face careers advice. And as usual it’s the schools in the most challenged areas which have these problems.”

Mr Street, who credits his economics teacher as the catalyst for his journey into the business world – which saw him run the department store giant John Lewis from 2007 to 2016, before entering politics – is concerned youngsters will turn elsewhere for crucial advice if denied access to careers experts.

He continued: “In a world where youngsters are getting their career advice from people like Andrew Tate on social media, having trusted local grown-ups in schools is more important than ever.

“I spoke to children in this school today and they all had a spark, a passion, and an idea what excited them concerning jobs – and for children like these, they need help to give them advice about how to get to where they want be and fulfil their aspirations.”

As announced today, if Mr Street is re-elected as West Midlands Mayor schools which score high on the pupil poverty indicators will be able to apply to the WMCA for funds to employ a dedicated careers officer.

Stockland Green School, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, was praised last year by Ofsted for the “tenacious” approach of staff in driving up student aspiration.

Assistant headteacher, Katerina Lee, is also responsible for the careers advice in the school. She said: “The pandemic caused so many problems with work experience, and with careers advisors not meeting pupils we wanted to do something about it.

“We work with local companies to get our pupils the routes to the jobs and careers they want. However, it is hard. And it would be wonderful to have a full time careers advisor… in fact we could do with lots, their work is so important.”

She added: “It is not like in previous years, where pupils would be given a pathway to industries which would open their doors for work experience and then a job offer would be at the end of it.

“We have to work hard identifying the needs of pupils, like our SEN (special educational needs) children, it is very important to identify their needs very early on.”

Headteacher Rebecca Goode began working at Stockland Green School 16 years ago before getting the top job in 2022.

She said: “Our pupils enjoyed telling Mr Street their aspirations and what they want to do when they enter the job market. Giving them access to careers advice is a really important part of making that happen.”

Mr Street, who won the previous two West Midlands mayoral elections, promised to keep the region’s youngsters and children at the top of his agenda. He believes improving their economic prospects is key in both their success and that of the wider West Midlands.

He added: “This is one of those areas where we just haven’t had the budget, powers, and responsibility to sort this until now. But I will get a grip of career education if I’m re-elected in May.

The West Midlands Mayoral election is being held on Thursday, 2 May. Candidates include the incumbent Conservative candidate Mr Street, Labour’s Richard Parker, Reform UK’s Elaine Williams, and Sunny Virk for the Liberal Democrats.

For more on Andy Street visit www.andystreet.org.uk

For more on the West Midlands Combined Authority visit www.wmca.org.uk

Click here to learn more about the West Midlands Mayoral elections on 2 May.