The Second City’s Secret Spaces

Okay, so now let us discuss about Birmingham. No, it is not the one in Alabama though I am certain that it is beautiful. It’s about Birmingham, that great city in the centre of England and in my view one of the most underutilised locations for events in the whole of the UK. Of course, there is London – the star of the show, but venues Birmingham vibes are not far behind – it has more up its sleeve than a magician at a child’s birthday party. Alright, so let me reveal some of the most amazing, yet not very well-known, facts about Brum, okay?

The Old Favourites: The Best of Classic Brum

First thing first let us not forget the basics. It’s not all pantomimes and West End shows you know; Birmingham Hippodrome is a fantastic venue. It is also a beautiful venue for holding business events and weddings – what an elegant old lady of the theatrical society. If you are looking for something more up market then The Council House in Victoria Square is as up market as it gets without having to pay for the privilege of rubbing shoulders with the monarch.

However, one needs to give credit to the NEC. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hardly a secret that I am going to talk about now. It is a versatile place in every sense of the word, this place can do it all, it’s a Swiss army knife of venues. From large conventions to small seminars, with the NEC you will find an event that will suit your needs. Also, it’s located pretty close to the airport, so your guests will not have to waste time sitting in traffic caused by the notorious Birmingham traffic.

Off the Beaten Track: On the lighter side of things: Birmingham’s off-beat
Well, if you are looking for something a bit more out of the ordinary, Birmingham has got all kinds of things that will surely get people’s attention (and that is not a bad thing).
Who among you would want to work in a chocolate factory for a day and get your hands on working with chocolates? In fact, Cadbury World on the Bournville site is not only for schools and children’s visits. They have some really sugary event spaces and we are not talking about the candy here, that will make your do stand out from the rest.

Or maybe there is The Bond Company in Digbeth? The property which is a Victorian warehouse has more character than one might find in a novel written by Charles Dickens. The venue is extremely photogenic thanks to the brick walls and the fact that it’s in a canal side location.
But if you’re really wanting to go above and beyond then why not try… a boat? The venue, The Roundhouse Birmingham, is a century old building which has been recently renovated; this place provides package events which include a ride on a narrow boat. That’s something that is truly out of the box thinking.

Green and Pleasant: We Will Be in Places With A View

So, you must be thinking;” Birmingham? Isn’t that just full of concrete and roundabouts?” No, it isn’t. There are some great parks in Brum and some people have got their heads screwed on and have made them good venues.
For example, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is a very famous facility in the area is a perfect example. It is an undiscovered gem located in Edgbaston which is a welcome find. It is completely different from the crowded city centre with its stunning glass houses and well-maintained lawns.
Or if you want something a little different perhaps… okay, grandly, what about Aston Hall? This Grade I listed mansion gives a feeling of stepping back in time when one enters the compound. Still, do not be mad at me if your guests start speaking like in the works of Jane Austen.

For the Foodies: A List of Venues with Flavour
Well, let’s face it, if there is one thing that draws people to events it is food. The good news is that Birmingham has an answer to that as well.
Custard Factory in Digbeth, the name of which already gives you an idea it was once a factory for custard, is today the hub of some of the most creative and hip small businesses in the city including several great places to eat. It’s great for the creative social gathering that calls for avocado toast and other hipster anomalies.
We cannot mention Simpsons here. This Michelin starred restaurant located in Edgbaston also contains a cookery school which has event capabilities. Here is how you can make any meal interesting and stand out and be the talk of the guests: This is where one has to do it.

So here it is – a quick overview of what is on offer in the way of venues in Birmingham. Whether it is a luxurious and flashy car or a little and cute one, Brum has got it all. The next time you’re planning an event, do not just assume that the event has to be held in London. Try Birmingham and you may be amazed at what you will come across.