The city is usually brimming with shoppers, seasonal markets and live music over the Christmas period – but there is a drastic change in mood on one bleak and isolated street
A shopping street in the centre of major UK city has sucked the Christmas spririt out of locals as it sits isolated with no festive decorations, lights or even people.
While Brimingham is usually brimming with shoppers, seasonal markets and live music over the Christmas period, there is a drastic change in mood on one street in the city centre. Cannon Street currently lies isolated with no Christmas decorations or shoppers, and a number of closed units with ‘to let’ signs erected on the doors.
BriminghamLive reporter Robson McCallister visited the street and told how it had lost its charm. He said: “It’s a shame because the architecture of these buildings has a charm to them, there is history in the structure but they are isolated from the city.”
He also came across piles of bin bags lined up outside the Armed Forces Centre and one closed building covered in graffiti. Further down, there is more life to the street with an opticians and pub attracting some footfall, before you’re met with more closed buildings.
McCallister added: “Despite Cannon Street’s central location and the buildings being far from an eyesore, this depressing street is struggling for businesses to find a home. Whilst you can find the magic of Birmingham minutes away, the festive spirit remains bleak on a street that simply deserves more love.”
The nearby Cathedral Square market is world’s apart from bleak Cannon street, with plenty of local business stalls by the backdrop of St Philip’s Cathedral. Carl Hawkins, who is the brand ambassador for West Midlands Distillery, said he was the Willy Wonka of rums.
The stall, which is up at this year’s Cathedral Square Market, offers spirit flavours include tiramisu and banana.
“People are wandering through seeing a range of independents and you have al fresco dining here. That’s a bit of a novelty factor for a country that has had six days of sunshine this year,” Carl said about the market. He added: “You get a lot of people heading into Birmingham from across the country. It has magic to it, the city feels more connected and there is more pedestrianisation.”
“It’s nice to see people out and about braving the elements. It’s been challenging this month in terms of weather. What the Cathedral Market brings is friendliness, these are smaller traders. You get a chance to interact with customers and explain your creative vision and people can see the effort you’ve put in.”
Elsewhere, Vagabond and Attic Brew Company have collaborated on a joint store which gives people the opportunity to try alcohol from two of the city’s favourites. Bartender Jazz Pea agreed that this year had a magic atmosphere, especially around a certain time.
She said: “At this time of year, more people are out and about and willing to have conversations with strangers. That’s compared to the rest of the year where people are more serious.
“The lights here get quite pretty when the sun goes down, I’d say that’s quite magical. We’ve been here for three and four weeks and have been getting a lot of Attic fans who keep coming back – we’re supporting local and the beer’s good.”
