Major leisure operator to make Birmingham debut
Street food, drinks and entertainment provider BOXPARK has secured planning permission for a £5m Birmingham venue.
Set to open in 2025 at the Floodgate Street Arches in Digbeth, the new venue is expected to create around 200 jobs.
A 15-year lease has been signed with landlords The Arch Company, with BOXPARK planning to transform the space under four 12m railway arches into a food hall and events destination.
Spanning almost 17,000 sq ft, plans feature a large, covered structure with around 10 kitchen units and four internal bars set across two floors. There is also external space for seating with two bar units.
It will be the group’s second BOXPARK-branded development outside of London and is expected to generate more than a million visitors each year.
The council has approved the proposal subject to strategies for lighting, CCTV, planning, heritage method and construction employment being submitted.
When plans were announced in October last year, BOXPARK said it would work closely with Birmingham City Council to promote local supply chain routes and recruitment.
LDC backed the business in 2021 to support national expansion plans to launch new sites in London and in major regional cities. In addition to its existing three London locations, BOXPARK is launching its first development outside of the capital in Liverpool in Spring 2024.
The new venue forms part of The Arch Company’s Project 1000, aiming “to bring a thousand empty or derelict spaces across England and Wales back into use by 2030” said leasing director Nick Cridlan.
Ben McLaughlin, Chief Operating Officer of BOXPARK comments on the planning permission announcement: “We’re thrilled to have received planning approval and are excited to move forward with the opening of our new site in this vibrant city. This will be a big project for the team and our aim is to carefully restore the Floodgate Street Arches while giving it a new lease of life.
“Digbeth’s eclectic and creative business community is perfect match for our ethos of supporting and championing local, independent talent. This marks an exciting new chapter for BOXPARK, and we look forward to contributing to the area’s continued growth.”
As plans were announced, Paul Thandi CBE, Non-Executive Chairman of BOXPARK also said: “Since my recent appointment as Chairman at BOXPARK, I’ve witnessed first-hand the passion, commitment, and creativity from the team to deliver operational excellence and introduce new, innovative concepts to drive footfall to its locations.
“My experience in regeneration and transformation with the NEC Group, as well as my connection with the City leads to me to have a strong belief that BOXPARK Birmingham will no doubt drive footfall, customer choice, experience and of course, unique entertainment into and around our fantastic site in Digbeth. I think the iconic brand of BOXPARK will be a great addition to the Birmingham offer which is a big driver for me and the business.”
