Cycling into Eastside

The Birmingham Mail has reported, Restoration plan agreed for historic Birmingham bicycle factory on plans for the redevelopment of the Belmont Works a former cycle factory, as reported on this blog last month, Locks lack magic.

The Belmont Works was the headquarters of the Eccles Rubber and Cycle Company and housed a rubber manufactory. By 1918 it was occupied by the Co-operative Society, who used the premises to make underwear. In 1931 the factory made pianos, and by 1941 it was producing bedsteads.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/11/12/restoration-plan-agreed-for-historic-birmingham-bicycle-factory-97319-22230601/

The building dating from 1899 which suffered damage in a fire was feared lost but developers have given the City Conservation Panel assurances the building will be renovated.

Picture Courtessy of Erebus555; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/92/Belmont_Row_works_after_fire.jpg/800px-Belmont_Row_works_after_fire.jpg

Goodman, developers of Eastside Locks believe that the building could make 'very characterful offices'. The intention is however to build an 180-bed hotel to the rear, forming a public square at the entrance to Eastside Locks.

“We have done an enormous amount of work with the city council about how we can keep this building and enhance it. We believe the scheme we have come up with is of the highest quality.”

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/11/12/restoration-plan-agreed-for-historic-birmingham-bicycle-factory-97319-22230601/

Despite the current turmoil in the market, the first phase of this development looks to be on course.