Must admit i can't find much history on this company. The building has been like this since i moved to Birmingham 5 or so years ago. Its owned by the university next door and i believe they intend to redevelop it at some point. For now the former shop floor areas are being used as secure car parking.
Now, this is one of those explores that's been under our noses for years and we'd never really bothered to have a go, partially because i didn't think it would be that good, the signs on the building look modern and it seemed logical then it would be modern inside too.. Wrong! Secondly i assumed that yeah, we could probably get in the carpark ok but they would obviously have locked up the derelict bits to stop members of the public from being able to just wander about the building.. also wrong!
As it turned out myself and @clebby killed a good hour and a half wandering about in here and a second Jewellery Quarter find in a week just backs up what i said in my last report about it being the place to go in Birmingham. Win all round!
This is actually the rear of the building but it shows its classic deco lines better than the front which is quite classical in comparison. Thankfully for us the first floor level stretches around all four sides so even tho the bottom floor is mostly used for carparking there was still a lot to see.
Heading inside were on the shop floor.. or carpark
Despite being reused theres really very little that has changed. Take away the cars and the lines on the floor and its a derp.
They haven't even bothered to remove the old first aid kit... or contents..
Old signs hang in the ceiling..
Well that's going to stop me isn't it!
I went one way and Clebby went the other. This is the first room i came to, the former canteen.
Complete with serving hatch
and behind a well equipped kitchen!
Kitchen utensils
Dated signage
There was also a smaller 'staff dining room'
Mens Cloaks
and our first dated toilet
Moving around a bit we're in the front offices, not much left but nicely dated and totally untouched.
We found what appeared to be the manager's office complete with another old toilet.
Which was more interesting than your average toilet due to the window ventilation!
Moving around a bit further
Another interesting feature
Secret bath!
Signage again
I stuck my head out onto the roof
and found the original main entrance
Now, this is one of those explores that's been under our noses for years and we'd never really bothered to have a go, partially because i didn't think it would be that good, the signs on the building look modern and it seemed logical then it would be modern inside too.. Wrong! Secondly i assumed that yeah, we could probably get in the carpark ok but they would obviously have locked up the derelict bits to stop members of the public from being able to just wander about the building.. also wrong!
As it turned out myself and @clebby killed a good hour and a half wandering about in here and a second Jewellery Quarter find in a week just backs up what i said in my last report about it being the place to go in Birmingham. Win all round!
This is actually the rear of the building but it shows its classic deco lines better than the front which is quite classical in comparison. Thankfully for us the first floor level stretches around all four sides so even tho the bottom floor is mostly used for carparking there was still a lot to see.
Heading inside were on the shop floor.. or carpark
Despite being reused theres really very little that has changed. Take away the cars and the lines on the floor and its a derp.
They haven't even bothered to remove the old first aid kit... or contents..
Old signs hang in the ceiling..
Well that's going to stop me isn't it!
I went one way and Clebby went the other. This is the first room i came to, the former canteen.
Complete with serving hatch
and behind a well equipped kitchen!
Kitchen utensils
Dated signage
There was also a smaller 'staff dining room'
Mens Cloaks
and our first dated toilet
Moving around a bit we're in the front offices, not much left but nicely dated and totally untouched.
We found what appeared to be the manager's office complete with another old toilet.
Which was more interesting than your average toilet due to the window ventilation!
Moving around a bit further
Another interesting feature
Secret bath!
Signage again
I stuck my head out onto the roof
and found the original main entrance