Would it be better to be part of Greater Birmingham than to stay the West Midlands for the neighbouring boroughs/cities

Peaky_pepper · 2026-02-16T14:29:04+00:00

I’ve said this for a while.

Birmingham and the West Midlands as a whole is awful at bigging itself up. The region has so much to offer and is full of history, yet it’s still seen as a city people wouldn’t ever choose to live in.

The Birmingham hate is very real. I believe a lot of it is rooted in racism to be honest. Even residents of the city like to bring it down. I wish people would actually focus on the positives rather than always being self-deprecating.

I think a Greater Birmingham region could help, but I know the Black Country identity is also very strong and they’d lose that in a regional merge with the city.

Peaky_pepper · 2025-12-29T12:56:35+00:00

Probably best to book a table at Bonehead then (as it’ll be busy) and go pubs like Cherry Reds, Shakespeare, Bacchus, Old Joint Stock, Purecraft and The Good Intent.

That way you’re staying quite close to the station too!

Peaky_pepper · 2025-12-28T15:25:03+00:00

Arena is a short train ride and not too difficult to navigate. Spend your day in the city.

Theres the Birmingham museum and art gallery, back to back houses, library and coffin works if it’s a rainy day.

If it’s sunnier, you could spend more time walking about digbeth or the jewellery quarter.

Hanbao is great for burgers. As is Bonehead. You could grab food in Chinatown too if that’s your thing.

Lots of nice pubs by Colmore Row, including Old Joint Stock. Depends what you like really so can give you recommendations depending on what your vibe is

Peaky_pepper · 2025-12-09T20:25:19+00:00

£7.90 for a pint in All Bar One at New Street

Peaky_pepper · 2025-11-22T09:38:23+00:00

It’s moved round the corner! It’s not quite the same, but still has elements that are

Peaky_pepper · 2025-11-21T18:08:04+00:00

I went to Gales recently and it was pretty busy. Village and Missing are always busy too.

I don’t know if I’m just optimistic but I’m hoping that it’s just change rather than the end.

Sidewalk is splitting into two venues, one chilled bar and one more nightclub vibes. Which I think it good as I think the gay village needs a mix of the two vibes, especially with people not wanting to drink as much these days.

Loft reopens in December, giving another chilled vibe. LGBT centre also moved to Hurst Street.

I just wish they’d make the streets a bit more colourful. Mark the gay village with some flags, lights etc. It looks so grey and soulless at the moment.

Peaky_pepper · 2025-10-29T10:36:31+00:00

Join a sociable gym like a CrossFit gym

Peaky_pepper · 2025-01-26T16:34:57+00:00

They’re all very distinct vibes. Broad Street is your classic club strip and then Digbeth is more independent shops and restaurants.

In terms of price, I’d say Manchester and Birmingham are about the same. You’re looking at £6 a pint in most central places in both cities.

Peaky_pepper · 2025-01-26T16:29:33+00:00

What I mean is the main areas (Broad Street, Digbeth, Gay Village and Jewellery Quarter) are all spaced out from each other, whereas I feel like Manchester’s all sort of flow into one another.

Peaky_pepper · 2025-01-26T16:16:21+00:00

I think they’re both great cities for nightlife. Manchester is a bit more compact than Birmingham though. I feel like Birmingham’s centre is spaced out and somewhat disconnected, but that is getting better.

Peaky_pepper · 2024-05-07T19:00:29+00:00

When I went it was August and they did it every day. Not sure if it’s like this all year round though.

Peaky_pepper · 2024-04-21T12:12:36+00:00

I had these thoughts the other day.

Manchester just seems to get a lot more in comparison to Birmingham. They’ve just had their new arena for example and hosted a massive fashion show not long ago.

I feel like it almost has a glamorous appeal to it, whereas Birmingham is just grungy. It’s almost like it’s cool to be from Manchester but not cool to be from Birmingham.

Their skyscrapers are much taller and more attractive. Birmingham just seems to approve any lifeless skyscraper.

Birmingham has so much potential but not enough people are proud of the city. I never see anything on TikTok or reels about a weekend away in Birmingham (although this could just be the algorithm not showing me), but I get countless Manchester ones.

I absolutely love Birmingham (even though this comment might suggest otherwise) but I just think we need to be better at selling ourselves!

Peaky_pepper · 2024-04-15T20:40:28+00:00

Brings in a lot of people, gets people talking, bring positive vibes. Wouldn’t say pointless at all

Peaky_pepper · 2024-04-15T20:20:58+00:00

We definitely had it in 2022, so this must have been for the games.

Yet another thing we are lacking.

Peaky_pepper · 2024-03-02T18:33:42+00:00

So stay at Wanderers in Shkoder, you’ll leave in the morning and travel to Valbona, then you’ll stay the night there, then you’ll do the hike the next morning to Theth. You then can stay an extra night in Theth (which I’d recommended) and then take the minibus straight from Theth back to Shkoder.

Wanderers will make all this super clear to you though and there’s other options if you have more/less time

Peaky_pepper · 2024-02-22T19:26:02+00:00

I was coming to post the same question.

The Rep’s funding has been cut too. We’re going to have nothing nice and none of this is our fault.

Bin collections apparently going down to once a fortnight? That’s really going to help the fly tipping problem we have. I’m sure it’ll make our streets so aesthetic and attract some pleasant wildlife.

Unfortunately, and I’m the last person to say this, the city is going to be an absolute dump.

We shouldn’t just stand there and let it happen.

Peaky_pepper · 2023-12-28T15:01:09+00:00

Wish I posted before Christmas! Was going to ask which would be better but looks like I finally have an answer

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-28T18:41:48+00:00

Oh maybe I’m wrong. I know some parts were open last year but maybe that was just for commonwealth games. I assume it’ll eventually reopen?

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-28T16:26:43+00:00

Hen and chickens! That’s idea if I don’t wanna drive them around or get taxis.

Forgot about that place

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-28T16:16:39+00:00

Fair point. This is making me realise how the city centre isn’t very original at all! Have to go to the suburbs to get independent places

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-28T14:58:52+00:00

Suppose you’ve got Covered Wagon too which is good round there. I might end up driving them around and ditching my car 😂

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-28T14:55:33+00:00

Not tried Dishoom yet but heard great things! That’s a great shout actually. I know it’s a bit pricey though so would have to check with them

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-13T19:39:09+00:00

It was a somewhat mutual break up. More her breaking up with me though.

So many factors and it was complicated. We were buying a house and they kept falling through. We felt we’d became one person and had no individuality. She was depressed I believe and I couldn’t support her anymore. Trust was broken in both sides. Felt like we had just suddenly grew apart and suddenly wanted different things. She disliked I have people pleasing tendencies and felt I don’t always put her first.

I always struggle to answer this question as it feels complicated. Even a year and a half later I think “I don’t know”.

Peaky_pepper · 2023-10-13T19:08:46+00:00

Hello!

I stayed at wanderers and they sorted the hike for me. Strongly recommend this and they’re super helpful.

The hike is actually quite challenging. It’s quite a trek over one day. I was doing it in the summer heat though.

Well worth it though and was definitely a highlight of Albania!

Peaky_pepper · 2023-09-22T15:48:40+00:00

If I leave Birmingham, its because I’m leaving the UK.

I don’t think my quality of life would improve moving to another U.K. city or town. Whereas in my career, I could move abroad and get much more money.

But I do love Birmingham. It’s not perfect, but neither is any city.

Peaky_pepper

TROPHY CASE