LCP FIGHTS THE CORNER FOR BIRMINGHAM’S SOUTHSIDE BARS

12/08/2020 New Image for LCP FIGHTS THE CORNER FOR BIRMINGHAM’S SOUTHSIDE BARS

 Birmingham’s vibrant Southside district, which includes The Arcadian, is all set to introduce outdoor dining from this weekend after LCP played a central role in lobbying the city council.

Jo Kinsella, centre manager at The Arcadian, which LCP owns and manages, and also vice-chair of Southside Business Improvement District (BID), is celebrating after the council agreed to allow Hurst Street to be closed off to vehicles every weekend for the next six weeks, enabling bars and restaurants to use the street space for socially distanced dining and drinking.

Working with BID executives and tenants, it has taken eight weeks for the council to finally agree to the temporary pedestrianisation, allowing 15 venues in the LCP portfolio to apply for a café license and take advantage of outdoor seating.

Starting this Saturday for six weeks, it will start at noon and ends at midnight on Sunday.

Jo said: “We’re so excited for the venues, which, with us and Southside BID, worked hard to ensure that they can meet the strict guidelines, make them Covid secure and as safe as possible for visitors and staff.

“It’s so important that these venues can start to get back to as normal as possible: it’s not just great for the local economy, it’s also good for people who want to support them, safely. We’re so grateful to Birmingham City Council for giving it the go ahead.

“We are really hopeful for a great first weekend, with a festival and vibrant feel, which is what Southside and The Arcadian is known for. To reassure visitors, we’ll have the usual security presence and there will be enhanced cleaning throughout the day.”

The Arcadian and Southside will be looking brighter than ever: two LGBTQ+ Progress flags have been painted on the road in the heart of the gay village, with one on the approach to Hurst Street from The Arcadian.

 

Image: (l) Jo Kinsella - Centre Manager, The Arcadian (r) James Wong, Restaurateur