Mars Attacks! The corporatisation of Birmingham's community space

A groundswell of public support has followed a campaign by Whatsonuk and Café One to raise awareness of plans by Mars Pension Trustees to close Birmingham’s Fiveways Shopping Centre in March pending ‘certain demolition works’ without planning permission having been granted. Five Ways Centre on Broad Street is currently home to Café One, the UK’s first Fairtrade venue which regularly hosts meetings, club nights and social events from Birmingham’s student campaign groups including People And Planet, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Respect, Green Party and Stop The War, providing a free space for film showings, DJs, live bands, music showcases, club nights and fundraising events.

Whatsonuk is also a progressive publishing company producing guides and magazines for students and young people, promoting equality, networking, inclusiveness and multiculture on an international platform. They have been given until March 3rd to vacate the premises before hoardings are erected across the entrances, and are objecting at having to close down with the diversity of Birmingham’s commercial landscape under threat. No proposals have been made to regenerate the area and the traders are asking for the right to remain open until options for the site can be properly and publicly discussed, including consultations with the traders and the local community.

The progressive pioneers are now requesting the right to remain trading in the area, relocating to an alternative unit in Fiveways Centre. But so far their requests have fallen on deaf ears and they cite discrimination against small community businesses in the future corporatisation of the Centre.

‘To defend local rights and encourage diversity, we're mobilising support and publicising our campaign among influential organisations and forging alliances with other venues, traders, businesses and projects at risk of similar eviction in Birmingham and across the UK. We have also generated considerable support for proposals to refurbish the centre, creating a lively public space based on the wishes of the local community, students and the wider diversity of Birmingham and the Midlands.’ Sam Alim

Friends of Fiveways view the proposals as a reflection of the current situation across the UK, with large corporate developments and shopping centres draining revenue and trade from independent businesses and creating economic deprivation in suburban areas. Brick Lane, Coin Street and Covent Garden in London are cited as prime examples of urban regeneration in the UK with community areas, shared spaces, environmentally-friendly development and sustainable social enterprises as a priority, an approach that they feel could revive and regenerate Fiveways Shopping Centre and provide a better service for local residents, students, workers and visitors that use the area.

MPs, councillors, faith leaders, local residents & community groups are all backing the campaign, pledging to support social enterprises and small businesses, preserving the diversity of the City Centre for the benefit of all.

'We have realised our dream of providing a shared space for the community where local people and students can meet and organise campaigns, as well as putting on parties and offering Fairtrade food and drink. This is a thriving progressive social enterprise employing many young people and students, making a significant contribution to the UK’s creative culture’
Sam Alim, Cafe One and Whatsonuk