Stark warning goes out to struggling publicans

CITY TRANSPORT BOSS TELLS LANDLORDS TO 'EVOLVE WITH THE TIMES'

- HARRY LEACH

BIRMINGHAM City Council's transport boss has told struggling pubs that they need to evolve with the times or be left behind.

Cllr Majid Mahmood came out all guns blazing this week after four publicans in Digbeth accused the authority of trying to kill off their venues with road and public transport changes.

Sue Bevan of The Big Bulls Head, Sharon Borland of Moseley Arms, Patrick Naughton of Cleary’s Irish Bar, and Steve Price of The Fountain Inn, said decisions by council planners had left them feeling isolated.

The landlords said a combination of roadworks, streets being closed off or made one-way, permit-only parking, a new bus lane, the Clean Air Zone and business rate increases had created a perfect storm.