Tucked away on the corner of New Street and Ethel Street in Birmingham’s city centre stands the grand, yet largely empty, old Masonic Hall. Its once bustling shops like Eat4Less and Fat Burgers now bear bailiff notices, their windows faded and shuttered. Nearby, once vibrant streets like Stephenson Street have grown quiet, leaving a ghostly silence that belies the past.
Yet, amid this ‘Zombie Quarter’ of shuttered businesses and waiting delivery cyclists, signs of life persist. Beneath the former ABC Cinema — which closed 43 years ago after its final screening of ET: The Extra Terrestrial — a handful of independent businesses continue to endure.
One such beacon is Autograph, a beloved independent fashion boutique that has served the Birmingham community since 1988. Its lively Instagram feed, showcasing inspirations from Parisian runways, highlights the boutique’s vibrant connection to the world of fashion.
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Further along New Street, the Italian restaurant La Galleria stands as the last tenant in the aging building’s ground floor retail spaces. Despite lacking large street-facing windows, inside La Galleria reveals a warm, inviting dining room with quartz tables, an elegant bar, and an open kitchen where chefs craft authentic Italian dishes by the light of a wood-fired pizza oven.
Owner Erminio Shahmani, who relocated La Galleria to Ethel Street in 2014, describes the restaurant as more than a business — it’s a labour of love. Having invested £150,000 in refurbishing the venue, he likens the place to a home carefully nurtured over time.
However, the restaurant’s future is uncertain. In 2024, planning permission was granted to transform the building into office and retail spaces, which would eliminate two of the existing retail units — including La Galleria’s spot — to provide an entrance to the new development. While Erminio was recently offered a new five-year lease, the implementation of the planning permission has yet to begin, leaving questions about the timeline and the restaurant’s fate.
“I knew we would be kicked out eventually,” Erminio admits. “But when you create something with your hands, it becomes more than just bricks and mortar. It becomes part of you.”
He has already prepared for potential changes by securing a new premises in Sutton Coldfield, but his heart remains with the Birmingham location. More than a restaurant, La Galleria has become a gathering place for locals and families, embodying the spirit of the community.
Erminio also voices concerns about the surrounding area, noting the neglected state of New Street compared to other parts of Birmingham, ongoing construction, and the challenges posed by the presence of delivery cyclists and beggars, which can feel overwhelming to customers.
The struggles of other businesses, he attributes largely to prohibitive rent and rates, lamenting that if given the opportunity, he would invest in the whole building to protect and nurture the local business ecosystem.
Despite the uncertainty and obstacles, Erminio remains steadfast. “I love what I do. I took this place knowing it might be temporary, but I’m here until 2030 now,” he says. “Leaving 18 people unemployed would break my heart. But this is life — you put your chin up, do your best, and be grateful you’re still standing.”
La Galleria continues to welcome guests daily from 12pm to midnight at 5a Ethel Street, Birmingham, B2 4BG.