With rich heritage, period character property and an abundance of green open space, Edgbaston is a renowned area of Birmingham. Following a masterplan to create a new urban village in the heart of this suburb, ‘Edgbaston Village’ is now a vibrant leisure and lifestyle destination.
Progressive property investment and development company, Calthorpe Estates, which manages the family-owned mixed-use estate, has helped attract award-winning, independent restaurants to the area. How has Edgbaston Village developed into the thriving community evident today and a must-visit destination for foodies? Let’s discover.
Then and now
In 2014, Calthorpe Estates developed a vision to create a village centre in the heart of leafy Edgbaston. In order to shape ‘Edgbaston Village’ into a premier retail and leisure destination, the property company delivered new public realm space, car parking facilities and quality units to attract independent and niche businesses, and create an attractive location with a balanced and interesting mix of occupiers.
Fast forward to 2019, and Edgbaston Village is a growing leisure and lifestyle destination filled with award-winning eateries, shops and bars. Most notable is fine dining restaurant, Simpsons. Long-established on the Calthorpe Estates since 2003, it was the one of the first restaurants in Birmingham to be awarded a Michelin star and has retained this ever since.
Luke Tipping, Executive Chef and Director at Simpsons Restaurant, said: “We moved to Edgbaston at a time when Birmingham was just coming of age. The city didn’t really have a reputation for its food, let alone fine dining, and we felt that Birmingham was ready for a Michelin starred restaurant. At the time, moving our restaurant from Kenilworth to Birmingham was a brilliant opportunity, allowing us to branch out into a bigger city, gain greater exposure, and with it, opportunity for customers to enjoy a fine dining experience.”
Since Simpsons moved onto the Calthorpe Estate, a number of well-renowned independent and award-winning restaurants have opened their doors in the area. From South-East Asian-inspired Blue Piano and gastro pub The High Field, to Italian deli Laghi’s Deli, award-winning afternoon tea and cocktail specialists The Edgbaston and Spanish tapas restaurant El Borracho de Oro, Edgbaston Village now offers a sea of international flavours and dining experiences, attracting foodies from across the region.
In good company
In the last year there has been a string of successful awards secured by neighbouring independent food establishments. Family-run deli, Laghi’s Deli, which opened in August 2017 and is one of the newest establishments within the Village, has already secured significant respect in the region after winning Best Restaurant at the Birmingham Awards 2018. Meanwhile, Spanish tapas restaurant, El Borracho de Oro won Best Spanish Restaurant at the Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards 2018, for a second successive year.
El Borracho de Oro owner, Emma Yufera-Ruiz, explains why she initially chose to set-up in Edgbaston almost four years ago: “I’ve had an affiliation with Edgbaston ever since I moved to Birmingham in 2006. I knew I wanted to be part of this community and the dream has always been to open a restaurant here especially after having worked at Simpsons for a brief time during my twenties.”
The arrival of new retailers has also helped to boost the local area and attract new people, positively contributing to the vibrant atmosphere within the Village. Emma believes that the mix of outlets nearby, which include high-end furniture and home furnishings retailers such as OKA and Neptune, has helped to encourage more customers to visit the restaurant.
Loki Wine, one of Birmingham’s most awarded wine merchants, recently opened near El Borracho de Oro, in a move which Emma feels has mutually benefited both businesses: “Since Loki opened, we’ve started to share more customers – people might go there for a drink first and then come here afterwards for a meal. We also benefit from our immediate neighbours; I regularly serve people who have visited the hair salon next door or employees from the architect business above. There are also key dates in the calendar year where we are inundated with families, such as end of term for the nearby schools or the Edgbaston Christmas Lights Switch On.”
Supporting independents
Like many restaurant owners, location was hugely important for Laghi’s Deli – an independent Italian restaurant. Luca Laghi, explains: “When I arrived in Birmingham, I knew it was the perfect venue for our first UK venture as a family – a big developing city, buzzing atmosphere and great opportunities.”
After visiting a number of units within the city centre, the entrepreneur set his sights on Edgbaston Village: “I was very grateful to the Calthorpe Estates team, who gave me the chance to be independent in such a fantastic position, especially given that many units in the centre of Birmingham would only accept chain businesses.
“Our restaurant is in an ideal location for the service we provide, catering to such a huge variety of customers. We are able to attract commuters walking to and from Five Ways train station and employees venturing out for lunch, in addition to residents and students living nearby.”
The future looks bright
Edgbaston is highlighted as an important location for future investment, reflecting its proximity to the city centre and its attractive, historic character. 2021 will see the arrival of the Midland Metro tram, which will further boost the area and surrounding businesses. The Metro will allow people in the city to easily and conveniently venture out to Edgbaston Village and enjoy an extra glass of wine or a cocktail.
Given recent development and improvements to infrastructure, there is clearly demand to join this booming community. With the opening of over 30 new establishments, the vision for Edgbaston Village is really taking shape. Furthermore, with restaurants like Simpsons, El Borracho de Oro and Laghi’s Deli, along with the award-winning The Edgbaston, The High Field, The Physician, Blue Piano and Loki Wines, as well as retail stores such as OKA and Neptune, they have helped support the transformation of this community into a must-visit destination.
For more information about leisure and retail space opportunities on the Calthorpe Estate visit www.calthorpe.co.uk or for further details about Edgbaston Village visit www.edgbastonvillage.co.uk
