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BBC News
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Birmingham campaigners welcome decision on Black Sabbath pub site
Campaigners fighting to restore the venue where Black Sabbath performed their first gig have welcomed a decision by council planners to refuse divisive proposals by the pub's Crown, in Station Street, Birmingham, has been vacant for many years despite its historic has now been a wave of optimism among campaigners after controversial plans by the pub's owner Toyoko Inn were refused by Birmingham City company, which has insisted it has plans to restore the pub, was seeking approval for an extension of the car park use on the site for a three-year period. The proposals sparked fresh anger earlier this year, with Darren John, from the Save Station Campaign, arguing in his objection that they would mean "Toyoko will just twiddle their thumbs for another three years, neglecting The Crown and Station Street despite their promises".A campaign to save Station Street launched after the sudden closure of the Electric Cinema last year, and argued the road and its venues are steeped in cultural to reopen The Crown in particular to celebrate Black Sabbath's legacy have intensified after the band's momentous farewell show and Ozzy Osbourne's death just days later. Birmingham City Council found Toyoko Inn's plans would be contrary to current policy, saying applications or time extensions for temporary car parks would not be supported "unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated".A council report said: "Moreover, a key focus for the city centre is to reduce the need for private car journeys."The applicant has not sufficiently justified the necessity of extending the use of this car park, thus the proposal contradicts the council's public transportation goals."Campaigners have celebrated the council's refusal of the plans."Time for Toyoko Inns to put forward proper refurbishment plans for The Crown as a pub and music venue right now or sell up," the Save Station Street campaign said."For what it's worth – we don't ultimately care who owns the site... if it is run with integrity, for Brummies and with respect to its legacy as one of the UK's most progressive and historic venues."Jez Collins, of the Birmingham Music Archive, added: "It's heartening to read the planning application for the continued use of the car park behind the historic Grade II listed The Crown was rejected." Toyoko Inn has previously said it has plans to not only restore The Crown but also build a new hotel with about 300 beds on the existing car park at the rear of the site."The pub is a historically important site and its new vision will reflect and celebrate this heritage," a cover letter within the recent proposals argued the proposed scheme would also make an "important contribution" towards the regeneration of Southside District, with the economic impact predicted upwards of £4m. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Calls to preserve Black Sabbath pub The Crown in Birmingham grow louder
Calls to preserve the Birmingham pub where Black Sabbath played its first gig as a heritage site are louder than ever. The city saw 40,000 rock fans pour in to experience to watch Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Dave Ward play their final performance amid a mammoth metal weekend. As music-lovers crowded to see The Crown pub on Station Street, culture journalist Kirsty Bosley poised the question why the historic road, and its buildings, had not become a heritage site yet. The pub was built in 1881 and shut in 2014 after it was bought by a Japanese development company. "All of what Ozzy started, that power we saw on stage, has managed to seep wider. We need to harness the energy and not let it go," she Sabbath, which used to be known as Earth, played their first gig at Henry's Blueshouse, which was located upstairs in the pub. "The Crown pub, not only for heavy metal, but for rock and roll in Birmingham is a heritage site," Ms Bosley on whether the pub would financially be viable and whether heavy metal tourism would be popular in the city, she said there was enough memorabilia ready to fill a museum. Black Sabbath, which formed in Birmingham in 1968, rocked out Villa Park on Saturday, joined by acts including Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Slayer - with guest appearances from the likes of Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler and Jack Station Street campaigners said The Crown should be the site of "[un]holy pilgrimage". "Yet most of it is closed down. Boarded up. Under threat. The Crown especially should be the site of (un)holy pilgrimage for every Sabbath Fan, Metal Head, Ska Revivalist, Punk and Folkie globally - showcasing the best Brum music, beer, food and creativity. " Arts company Birmingham Open Media (BOM) had plans to restore the pub, with the backing of Birmingham City Council - but it fell apart last year after the council retracted its offer of a loan. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
