BOXPARK Group signs deal to open in Birmingham

Image: Artist illustration of the proposed BOXPARK scheme at Floodgate Street Arches, Digbeth.

The UK’s award-winning hospitality and leisure operator BOXPARK has announced plans for its next BOXPARK-branded development in Birmingham. The new site, scheduled to launch in 2025, will follow the opening of new sites in other major UK cities as well as London, and will be the first BOXPARK in the Midlands.

BOXPARK has agreed a 15-year lease with landlords The Arch Company for the Floodgate Street Arches site, which is situated in Digbeth, Birmingham’s growing creative quarter. 

Formerly an industrial zone, Digbeth has now established itself as one of the UK’s key creative hubs with a large and growing cluster of creative industries, offices, restaurants, bars and leisure units opening in the area over the last 10 years. 

The site, which sits under four 12m railway arches, was previously used for industrial purposes. Spanning nearly 17,000 sq. ft, the proposed plans for the site will see it transformed into a stunning food hall and events destination featuring a large, covered structure with around 10 kitchen units and four internal bars set across two floors. In addition, there will be just over 10,500 sq. ft. of external space to offer al fresco dining and events. 

The group is investing around £5 million into the Digbeth area, and the new opening is expected to create approximately 200 new job opportunities for the local community. The scheme is also set to drive a significant volume of footfall to the area, with over a million people expected to visit each year*.

Famous for its diverse street food offering, independent traders and iconic events, BOXPARK’s new venue aims to champion local Birmingham businesses and talent with fantastic opportunities for both independent and established food operators, as well as artists, creators and performers from the area.  

BOXPARK CEO Simon Champion, comments: “We are delighted to announce the new location for our next BOXPARK venture. Our team has searched extensively for sites in Birmingham since 2016, having considered multiple locations across the city. As a dynamic and fast-growing business, we hope BOXPARK will be an exciting addition to Birmingham. The city’s food, drink and leisure scene has become known as one of the best in the country and we can’t wait to add to that with a space that will support and champion local creatives from food to art, music and beyond.”

Paul Thandi CBE, Non-Executive Chairman of BOXPARK, comments: “Since my recent appointment as Chairman at BOXPARK, I’ve witnessed first-hand the passion, commitment, and creativity from the team to deliver operational excellence and introduce new, innovative concepts to drive footfall to its locations. 

“My experience in regeneration and transformation with the NEC Group, as well as my connection with the City leads to me to have a strong belief that BOXPARK Birmingham will no doubt drive footfall, customer choice, experience and of course, unique entertainment into and around our fantastic site in Digbeth. I think the iconic brand of BOXPARK will be a great addition to the Birmingham offer which is a big driver for me and the business.”

Nick Cridlan, Leasing Director at The Arch Company comments: “BOXPARK shares The Arch Company’s commitment to reuse and repurpose and we’re delighted to welcome them to their new home in Digbeth’s historic railway arches. This letting will see four arches in this burgeoning creative quarter transformed from vacant spaces into vibrant places for independent traders to thrive. This agreement forms part of Project 1000, our plan to bring a thousand empty or derelict spaces across England and Wales back into use by 2030.”

The launch of BOXPARK Birmingham will follow the opening of BOXPARK Liverpool in Spring 2024, which is the first BOXPARK-branded development outside of the capital. Earlier this year, BOXPARK also announced the roll-out of its sibling brand BOXHALL, a high-end premium food & beverage concept, with sites opening in Bristol and Liverpool Street, London in 2024. The announcement of BOXPARK Birmingham is part of the group’s national expansion plans following investment from LDC, the UK’s leading mid-market private equity firm.

Last month, BOXPARK announced the appointment of Paul Thandi CBE, former CEO of the NEC Group, Birmingham as the new Non-Executive Chairman of the Group. With a wealth of brand building, destination development and leadership experience, Paul will be focussed on the Group’s expansion as it accelerates its national growth strategy, as well as supporting the senior management team to explore potential new offerings and concepts.

*Figure based on footfall metrics from existing BOXPARK sites.