Column by Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands

Birmingham Irish • October 24, 2020

This month, we would like to share a new column with you all, written by the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street. To read this first piece in full, please see below.

I was delighted to be asked to write a regular column for the Birmingham Irish Association Newsletter – but it left me with a bit of a conundrum. In a year of so many challenges, and with so much going on in Digbeth and the Irish Quarter, what should I write my first contribution about?

2020 has seen all communities across our region face the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the Irish community has been among the most active in supporting people. Digbeth is one of the most exciting and dynamic places in the city, attracting millions of pounds of investment. It was recently declared the top area in Birmingham for residential property investment.

So, there is much to report. However, I thought I would concentrate my first column on the important role the Birmingham Irish Association (BIA) plays in local life, and how our Irish community continues to play a big role in shaping the city, leading the way in social support and sharing its views on the changes we are seeing.

I have often said that Birmingham is a place where you can see the entire world in a day. This city is more diverse than anywhere else in the UK and the Irish community is a vital part of that cultural diversity. America has the Boston Irish. We have the bostin’ Irish!

That community still embraces and celebrates Irish traditions and Irish family values. Our city has Gaelic football teams and a vibrant Irish dancing scene. There are places you can learn Irish instruments and there's a great music scene, which I am certain will spring back into life once the challenges of coronavirus are passed.

And at the heart of that community is the Birmingham Irish Association, based at its hub in Digbeth. Around 90% of its work is providing support for the elders and vulnerable in the community, something which has become more important than ever this year.

A dedicated team of BIA volunteers reach out far beyond Digbeth to Erdington, Cotteridge, Harborne, South Yardley, Sheldon, Hall Green, Brandwood, Shirley, Edgbaston, Acocks Green, Kingstanding, Handsworth, Maypole and Kings Norton.

The Association is also involved in promoting Irish culture and helps arrange the annual St Patrick’s Day parade, said to be the third largest in the world. I was as disappointed as everyone else to see it postponed this year – particularly as the theme was to be ‘The Irish Quarter’ – but it will be back, bigger and better than ever.

But perhaps the most important role played by the BIA is the voice it gives local people in an ever-growing, ever changing city.

Part of my role as West Midlands Mayor is to ensure our region wins the investment needed to drive growth, generate jobs and create prosperity. Money is pouring into the east side of the city centre. Digbeth is well-known for its cluster of creative industries and, when Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight’s plans come to fruition, it will soon have a film studio, complete with a cobbled street and media village.

I was delighted to secure a further £160 million from the Government for the Eastside Metro extension, a 1.7km track running from the city centre to Digbeth, will bring with it huge benefits.

And the ongoing regeneration of the area, not least the plans on the site of the former Irish Centre, is seeing real change in Digbeth. With all this investment, the BIA provides a vital focal point for the Irish community to have their say on what is happening, talking to developers to protect the character of the Irish Quarter.

Birmingham is lucky to have its Irish Quarter – and the Irish community is lucky to have the BIA.

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