Introduction

As the Industrial Revolution got under way at the end of the 18th century, Birmingham established itself to become the leading industrial city in the world. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries Hurst Street became a perfect example of this development.

Our aim is to help the reader to understand the history of Hurst Street. Contained in its pages, is a walk through history discovering the past that is the present , which is on every corner of this great street.

This book will endeavour to describe Hurst Street, commencing outside the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, travelling north via Thorp Street to the corner of Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street, then down the east side of the street, via Ladywell Walk, on to Bromsgrove Street, continuing over Sherlock Street and terminating at the bottom of a gentle slope at Bishop Street. The description will continue on the other side of the street (the west) in the opposite direction, then along down Kent Street, up to Bromsgrove Street, back to Hurst Street and left into Inge Street, finally reaching our destination at The Birmingham Back to Backs on the corner of Inge and Hurst Streets.

The history and stories behind the buildings and the people of Hurst Street will be explained through text, illustrated through photographs and where possible, depicted using “then and now” images.

At the time of writing (2019-20) Hurst Street was comprised of eighteen restaurants, five clubs, five public houses, four retail outlets, three bar/cafes, three bookmakers, two hairdressers, two estate agents, two supermarkets, two car parks, three office blocks, one demolished building, one construction site, one fitness centre, one casino, one banqueting suite, one theatre, and one museum!

The book was first compiled in the Autumn 2019 and finished in the Spring of 2020. Times change in that short time, retail shops and restaurants close, change their name, or are converted for another purpose, buildings are demolished, and new ones built, Hurst Street is ever changing. These pages attempt to reflect that particular window of time.

By the time this was posted on the internet (in 2021) more changes had been made Just one car park was accessible directly from Hurst Street, but there are several more that can be found in some of the side streets.

Hurst Street is situated in the area which is now referred to as “Southside”. It is one of the most vibrant and multicultural streets in Birmingham, being the centre of the Chinese and LBGTQ communities, as well as its close association with the entertainment business.

We cannot find any reference to exactly what the “Southside” moniker encompases, but we have broadly interpreted it as meaning Hurst Street and the streets leading off it. However, it is a useful reference point for anyone arriving at New Street Station by train. “Southside” appears on some of the signs to direct you to the correct exit to be able to head towards Hurst Street.

In 2009, the Birmingham Council approved a £530,000 environmental improvement scheme to enhance Hurst Street and its surroundings, including the extension of street trees to the full length of Hurst Street (see the page on “Mystery Trees“), widening pavements to create space for café bars to provide outdoor seating, and brighter lighting with decorative lanterns. More changes were announced in 2019 outlining the expansion of Hippodrome Square which included revised traffic flows, more trees, a larger pedestrianised area and a gigantic 40-foot high Chinese Arch.

Des Kelly & David Humphries

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