Birmingham is evolving, but not without loss. Over recent years, many residents have felt an increasing sense of frustration and worry as key parts of the city’s history and identity slip away. Despite differing opinions and political divides, there is a shared desire among Brummies: safety, comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging.
Often, blame shifts between political parties or falls unfairly on neighbours with different backgrounds—people who, like us, simply want the same sense of community and security.
This week, I witnessed a poignant example of this loss firsthand: the Friends Institute on Moseley Road, a cornerstone of Sparkbrook’s community since 1897. This Grade II*-listed building, entrusted to Birmingham City Council for care 85 years ago, is now on the brink of being lost.
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The Friends Institute’s significance runs deep—it was once a major Quaker meeting house, a gift from the Cadbury family aimed at enriching Brummie lives through recreation and learning. Designed by renowned architects Ewan and James Harper, it is an architectural treasure of red brick and terracotta. It also holds sporting heritage, being the first venue where England, Ireland, and Scotland competed in athletics in 1900.
Until recently, the Institute served as a vital hub: a place where Jayne Baggett sold affordable clothes, Hayley Frances offered solace through poetry, and Isabella Chiaradia and her sister found friendship.
Yet, despite the passion of those who used it, the building suffered neglect. The roof leaked, ceilings collapsed, plaster crumbled. What I saw was a painful symbol of how a cherished piece of Birmingham is being allowed to slip away.
Now the council plans to dispose of the Friends Institute. Its future is uncertain, and those who once relied on it must seek new spaces to nurture the strong community spirit that transcends bricks and mortar.
When Birmingham’s Muslim community recently celebrated Eid, I received messages of resentment from some who saw such diversity as dismantling the “good old” Birmingham. But the real challenge isn’t neighbours or cultures—it’s the decisions made in the Council House, often far removed from those affected.
With local elections on May 7, the biggest threat we face is not having a voice in the seats where real change happens. All 101 council seats are open for election, and the candidates you choose will decide the fate of community spaces, heritage sites, and much more.
If you feel underrepresented, if you are watching your city’s history unravel, your vote is the tool to demand better stewardship. Take the time to meet your candidates, understand their positions, and make your voice heard.
Birmingham’s heritage and community spaces are precious. Protecting them requires action—and there’s no better place to start than at the ballot box.