Festival to celebrate the best of Birmingham’s independents

A festival showcasing the very best of independent retailers, bars and restaurants in Birmingham is set to take place this month.

The Independent Birmingham Festival, which has been arranged by Joe Schuppler, the owner of Independent Birmingham, will take place at The Bond in Digbeth on Saturday May 13.

The festival will be the first from Independent Birmingham, who encourage people to explore Birmingham’s lesser-known aspects and rediscover their city through the Independent Birmingham membership card. The IBcard is now owned by over 16,000 people in Birmingham who are joining the revolution in supporting local.

Joe was inspired to set the festival up after deciding to celebrate Birmingham’s independent culture in a different format. He said: “Having spent the last four years building the Independent Birmingham brand, membership card and audience, these events are the next step for the company, so I’m obviously hoping this first event will go very well, to act as a springboard for future events.

“The main thing for me is that those coming enjoy a fantastic day out, a true end-to-end brilliant experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave, and are left with only the fondest memories of the event.

“I hope this event makes people fall in love with their city all over again, while showcasing the best of Birmingham’s independents doing what they do best.”

Taking place from 12pm-6pm, the festival will welcome some of Birmingham’s very best bars, restaurants and retailers, including The Church, who will be creating a fire pit and cooking ‘asado style’, Baked In Brick, The Bournville Waffle Company, Peel and Stone and The Birmingham Whisky Club.

Clink will also be offering craft beer at their mobile bar and the city’s best cocktail makers will also be making an appearance.

To differentiate the event from others, Joe decided that only those independents included on the Independent Birmingham Membership Card can trade at the event.

As well as local restaurants and bars, there will also be local artists and designers showcasing their work, as well as independent retailers. There will also be live music and entertainment taking place across the day.

The Independent Birmingham Festival takes place from 12pm-6pm on Saturday May 13 at The Bond.