Are you the face of A Real Birmingham Family?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Nichole

Ikon Gallery and Birmingham-born artist Gillian Wearing are on a quest to find a ‘real’ Birmingham family. One family from hundreds of nominations will be chosen to model for a life-size bronze statue to be located permanently near the entrance of new Library of Birmingham from 2013. Nominations close on 31 March 2012.

 During February and March, Ikon will be touring communities around Birmingham encouraging nominations, including events at HomeSense in The Fort Shopping Park and Birmingham Central Library.

 Families can nominate themselves in person or at www.arealbirminghamfamily.com  Through descriptions and photos posted by families, the online Family Album is building a picture of families across the city.

 Birmingham-born artist Gilian Wearing won the Turner Prize in 1997. In 2001 her film Broad Street documented party-goers at the various clubs and bars on the famous Birmingham street, whilst her 2006 work Family History, installed at Birmingham’s Brindley House development, reflected on Wearing’s childhood in the city.

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Clean sweep for Pushkar at OpenTable Awards

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Nichole

Pushkar Cocktail Bar and Dining are awarded almost a clean sweep of OpenTable awards, recently voted for by the thousands of OpenTable diners throughout the country.

Popular Starter - Chaat

The Broad Street based, fine dining Indian restaurant was voted as the Diners Choice Winner and The Midlands Best – Ambiance, Food, Overall, Service, Special Occasion and Most Booked. Pushkar was also voted UK’s/London & Ireland’s Best Indian and Best Ambience.

OpenTable is a worldwide online restaurant booking facility where food lovers can make reservations online for thousands of  restaurants across the country.

Rai Singh, Pushkar’s Creative Director, comments: “We couldn’t have wished for a better start to 2012. Collecting awards and accolades really helps with increasing business and is also good for the morale of the team. We would like to thank all the diners that voted for us and hope you carryon enjoying your Pushkar experience.”

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Lord Mayor on Night Patrol

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Nichole

Broad Street Wardens and City Pastors were delighted when the Lord Mayor of Birmingham joined them on a Friday Night street patrol.

Broad Street BID supported the development of the City Pastor scheme. The volunteers make a valuable contribution to the street, along with our Street Wardens, Door Staff, Taxi Marshals and the Police.

Broad Street is a safer place for all their efforts, just ask the Lord Mayor!

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Broad Street Celebrates it’s Finest

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Nichole

The seventh Best of Broad Street Awards (BOBS) was held on Monday night honouring the best of Birmingham’s Golden Mile.BOBS 2012

Hosted by BRMB’s breakfast show duo, Foxy and Giuliano, the glittering awards night at the ICC saw over 400 entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs rub shoulders celebrating the achievements of the venues, staff, management and personalities that make Broad Street the entertainment hub of the West Midlands.
Vintage cabaret style entertainment during the evening was provided by The Pin-ups.

There were 22 award categories in total Best Door Crew, Best Best Door Supervisor, Best Police Officer, Best Manager, Best Chef, Best Restaurant, Best Themed Restaurant , Best Casual Dining and Best Overall Venue.

Full list of winners:

The Ritchie Award for Outstanding Contribution and Excellence
Winner: Carmine Sannio

Outstanding Contribution for Broad Street
Winner: James Moreton

Best Door Crew
Winner: Walkabout

Best Door Supervisor
Winner:  Rafal Brezenski Rococo Lounge

Best Neighbourhood Police Officer
Winner: PC Steven Malborn

Best Police Officer
Winner: PC Abdul Rohoman

Safe Night Out
Winner: Rococo Lounge

Best Re Entry
Winner: Bliss

Best Independent
Winner: Oh Velvet Bar

Best Entertainment Performance
Winner: Nuvo Bar
Highly Commended: O’Niells

Best Restaurant sponsored by Birmingham City Centre Partnership
Winner: Pushkar
Highly Commended: Shimla Pinks

Best Manager
Winner: David Cox Grosvenor Casino
Highly Commended: Andy Chapman Bliss

Best Chef
Winner: Simon Bishop Branded Bull
Highly Commended: Steve Hewitt G Casino

Exceeding Customer Expectations
Winner: Mark Dovaston Grosvenor Casino

Best Front of House
Winner: Rai Singh Pushkar
Highly Commended: Shazma Astle Piccolinos

Best Themed Venue
Winner: Sea Life Centre Brindleyplace

Best Local in the City
Winner: O’Neills

Best House Team
Winner: The Figure of Eight

Best Night Out
Winner: Bar Risa & Highlights

Best Casual Dining sponsored by BRMB
Winner: The Obar

Best Overall Venue sponsored by Birmingham Mail
Winner: ICC & Symphony Hall

Best Arts and Entertainment Venue sponsored by Birmingham Post
Winner: Number Nine Gallery

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The Word – new edition available now!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Caroline

The third edition of the Broad Street Business Improvement District’s publication – The Word – is available now!

In this issue, we celebrate Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell being honoured on the Walk of Stars, meet new Broad Street tenants, Marketing Birmingham, and find out what has been happening with the building of the new Library of Birmingham.

We also have a chat to the new team at the Hyatt Regency, and discover the tasteful delights of Yo Sushi! in Brindleyplace.  We check out the Ikon Gallery’s programme for 2012 and take a peek at what the new year will bring to the big screens at Cineworld.

Read the latest edition online here - The Word

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SEA LIFE Christmas Tour

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Caroline

The National SEA LIFE centre will be holding a one night only Evening Christmas Tour on Friday 16th December. For £15 per person visitors will be whisked on an exclusive VIP tour around the centre’s stunning tropical displays and enjoy a screening of The Polar Express 4-D Experience in the 4-D Cinema. Mince pies and festive fruit punch will be provided on arrival.  Christmas music will be playing to set the mood, even as visitors are transported to an underwater tropical paradise! Availability is limited, so please book today and the Sea Life team will look forward to offering you a warm welcome.

The Christmas Tour runs from 6.30pm to 830pm on Friday 16th December, and must be booked in advance.

£40 Family tickets also available for this event.

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Pushkar surge to the British Curry Awards final

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Caroline

Birmingham’s Pushkar Cocktail Bar and Dining have reached the final of the 2011 British Curry Awards. Located on Broad Street, the luxury North Indian restaurant has secured this position for a second successive year and head to the star studded award ceremony at Battersea Evolution in London on the 28th November.

This years British Curry Awards has seen a record number of nominations with over 68,000 from across the UK. All regional finalists and winners will be announced at the final by well-known celebrity Chef, James Martin.

Organisers of the event have teamed up with media partners such as ITN, Star Plus, BBC and the Daily Mirror in a bid to create an amazing spectacle that is set to dazzle all guests on the evening!

Bishal Rasaily, Pushkar’s Head Chef, commented “Its accolades like this I work so hard for and I’m truly honoured by this achievement. Thank you to everyone who has supported Pushkar so far and we hope to bring some silverware back to Birmingham.”

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Broad Street BID supports Royal British Legion

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Caroline

The Broad Street Business Improvement District (BID) launched its Poppy Appeal awareness campaign at the end of October with Walk of Star recipient Matt Croucher GC, alongside the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anita Ward.

The BID has supported the Royal British Legion since its inception in 2005, raising thousands of pounds of much needed funds each year.

It is hoped that the BID’s efforts this year will help to raise the profile of the appeal. The BID has had a display of large poppies installed throughout the street and almost 20 6ft-tall poppies decorating the hoardings around the new Library of Birmingham site. Collection tins have also been distributed to venues throughout the area.

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We brand Jo a culinary star in the making!

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Caroline

In September the Broad Street Business Improvement District, in conjunction with Birmingham Food Fest, launched a search to find and educate Birmingham’s worst cook.  

After much deliberating, last week Joanne Broomhall-Ellis was unveiled as the contests winner! The mother of six was nominated by her own mum for her skills at burning everything and being an absolute disaster in the kitchen.  

Joanne spent Friday morning with Simon Bishop, Executive Chef Director from Branded Bull on Broad Street learning how to whip up an extraordinary beef wellington and complementary beef tartar starter.

Simon trained at The Birmingham College of Food, now the UCB, and undertook a year’s training at the Ecole de Ferande, Paris, before moving to London to work at the Dorchester & Savoy hotels.

Since those early days Simon has won a host of competitions and titles, working in kitchens at New Hall Country House, The Belfry, Moxhull Hall and The Jam House as well as at Michelin starred restaurants in the British Isles, France & Spain.

Joanne’s nerves were quickly dispersed by Simon, who took her through all the stages behind the traditional dish. Her confidence quickly grew under his wing and the dish came together with ease having taught Jo the very basics, peeling the potatoes for the accompanying mash, down to what makes the best pancake preparation and the all important rolling of the pastry!

Caroline Ashton, Marketing Manager of the Broad Street BID said “We all enjoyed a gorgeous lunch following Jo’s lesson. She did herself proud and it was a real treat. She certainly won’t remain Birmingham’s ‘worst cook’ for long!”

Chefs still to take Birmingham’s worst cook under their wing include Brett Sandland of the Hyatt Regency, Andy Waters of Edmunds and Abdul Ishral of Shimla Pinks.

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Sunday 23rd October – BUPA Great Birmingham Run

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Caroline

This Sunday (23rd October) will see 15,000 participants take to the streets of Birmingham as part of the Bupa Great Birmingham Run!

The run will take participants on a 13.1 mile journey from the City Centre down Pershore Road to Bournville before doubling back and taking in the sights of Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Cannon Hill park en route back to Broad Street and the finish.

The finish line is on Broad Street, between the Hyatt hotel and Centenary Square. Due to this Broad Street will have traffic restrictions in place on Sunday from 5am until approximately 4pm. These restrictions will run the full length of the street. Traffic diversions will be in place during this time.

A plan detailing the traffic diversions is available here. Please note that all businesses on Broad Street and in Brindleyplace will be open as usual during this time.

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