There are a lot of buildings across the UK lying empty. Old offices, former factories, ex-Wilkos – they’re all sitting untouched and underused, waiting for someone to come along and give them a new lease of life. And that is exactly what has happened at one derelict site in Birmingham, which will become a massive food hall this summer.
St Paul’s Market, which will be inside a huge, currently empty building in Brum’s Jewellery Quarter, is being spearheaded by Independent Birmingham alongside Baltic Market and local Thai restaurant Buddha Belly.
This isn’t Baltic Market’s first foray into this world. The company previously opened a food court in Liverpool, and is now hoping to repeat that success further south.
The market has no confirmed opening date, but it will include six industrial kitchens, and space for 500 people to sit and enjoy their meals. There will also be two bars inside, so you’ll be able to settle in for an evening if that’s what you fancy.
The best bit? All of the vendors will be local chefs and restaurants. No fast food conglomerates or massive pizza chains, only things cooked by people who properly care about good food.
Independent Birmingham’s founder, Joe Schuppler, described the venue as something which ‘has been a dream [for] over six years now,’ saying; ‘We plan to be a traditional chef-led food hall - created with love by Brum’s very best indie restaurants and the city’s top up-and-coming chefs.
‘Not only will this brand new indie venue support a whole host of amazing independents… it will also create around 100 jobs.’
‘We’ve been one of Brum’s biggest champions for over 11 years - we’re dedicated to Birmingham’s future.’
The lease on the Mary Ann Street building is fifteen years long, so once it’s open you’ll have plenty of time to make your way to Birmingham and check out St Paul’s. If all goes well, this could be a real boon to the city’s already excellent food and drink scene. At worst, it’ll be a brilliant place to grab lunch. Either way, it’s a win.
Eating in the UK
Want something else to stick your teeth into? We also recently revealed our favourite restaurants in Manchester. Also, we’ve uncovered some secret foodie locations that you might not have thought of, and we have lists of the best restaurants in the country, and we have named Liverpool the culinary capital of the UK.
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