Parklet scheme hailed resounding success as four more sprout in business district

Following the successful launch of Colmore BID’s first parklet in August, the District has welcomed four new additions this month as it continues to support the leisure and hospitality industry and local business community with its outdoor seating scheme.

Four new community spaces have been launched in Colmore Business District in September, bringing the grand total of parklets in the area up to five. The new spaces have been installed on Colmore Row, outside 200 Degrees Coffee, Barwick Street, outside Primitivo, Church Street, outside Hotel du Vin and Waterloo Street, outside Theatrix.

Each parklet has capacity for 15-20 people within up to four defined areas, including seating with a low table for coffee and drinks, an area for dining with a high table and standing room.  They also include an area that has been specifically designed to be accessible for wheelchair users.

Colmore BID has worked with EventMen to design the parklets for each specific location, ensuring they meet relevant planning, licencing, counter terrorism and equalities standards. It has also commissioned Birmingham City Council’s Chelsea award-winning nursery team to add floral decorations, keeping with the BIDs ethos to ‘green’ the District, much like its popular flower towers.

Over the coming months, The BID will work with local artists in decorating each site, adding a further splash of colour to the area.

Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore BID, said: “Copious amounts of effort have gone into making this project a reality and we’re thrilled to be able to roll out a further four more parklets across the District. I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has been part of the scheme and supported us on our journey.

“We’ve had some truly fantastic feedback both from businesses and people making use of the scheme and it’s great to see them being used not only for a drink and a bite to eat, but also people hosting outdoor meetings and just generally taking time for themselves.

“The parklets are just one of the many ways we are working to support businesses during these unprecedented times. As a BID we are continually looking at what support is needed, changing our output to ensure needs are met.