PROJECT: BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL SQUARE
CONSTITUENCY: BIRMINGHAM, LADYWOOD
LOCAL AUTHORITY: BIRMINGHAM
AMOUNT AWARDED: £2,253,000
Cathedral Square, in the heart of the city, is one of the key open spaces contributing to the urban fabric of Birmingham. The extensive improvements to the square have acted as a catalyst for the regeneration of the surrounding area.
Prior to the HLF award, the churchyard was neglected and many of the nearby office blocks facing on to the square stood vacant. There was little to entice people to pass through this open space, despite its proximity to St Philip’s Cathedral, one of the most important 18th-century Baroque churches in England.
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £2. 253 million of the £3 million necessary to restore the physical fabric of the square and to provide a high-quality open space for all to use and enjoy. The project has received a considerable number of awards and commendations, including the Local Government News Street Design Award for Urban Green Spaces and the Birmingham Design Initiative Award.
The Cathedral Square project was extremely well supported by those firms that surround its boundary, many of whom contributed to the public appeal that was a vital element of the funding programme. These firms have directly benefited from the provision of a high-quality open space on their doorstep.
Initial research by Birmingham City Council has demonstrated rapid take-up of office space in the surrounding area, and a number of commercial buildings have also been refurbished. It is estimated that around 1,200 jobs have either been created or have relocated to this area as a result. Improving the setting of the historic cathedral has created an inviting and welcoming space that encourages users to linger and appreciate its rich history.
The square acts as a haven for city workers, particularly during the summer, and provides a space of which local people can be proud. The wider regeneration impact that has been created by providing a usable, visually attractive public space should not be underestimated. Commercial firms value high-quality locations. When the square was neglected and run-down, vacancy rates were high; since the improvements, office space surrounding the square has been in high demand.