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The History
Methodist central halls were grand buildings that used to attract thousands of people when the temperance movement was at its strongest. The temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence (teetotalism), leaders emphasizing the sinfulness of drinking as well as the evil effects on personality, family life. Ironically over the years many have been sold off, with some now used as bars and nightclubs.
The Methodist Central Hall, Located in Corporation Street, Birmingham, England, is a three storey red brick and terracotta Grade II* listed building with a distinctive tower at the northern end of Corporation Street, opposite the Victoria Law Courts. It is located within the Steelhouse Conservation Area.
The terracotta was manufactured by the renowned firm of Gibbs and Canning Limited of Tamworth, which also produced decorative works for 179-203 Corporation Street and the interior of the Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham along with the Natural History Museum in London.
The street level has twelve bays of shops (four with their original fronts). The building also runs along Ryder Street and has more original shop fronts.
It was built 1903-4 by architects Ewan Harper & James A. Harper at a cost of £96,165.
Its main hall seats 2,000 and it has over thirty other rooms including three school halls.
In 1991, the Methodist Church was converted into a nightclub; however, this venture closed in 2002.
The hall was re-opened on 14 September 2007 as the 'Que club.' The opening night was hosted by 'Drop Beats Not Bombs'. On re-opening the club has seen extensive repairs and improvements to its decor, and regularly hosted events such as Atomic Jam and Fantasia.
The site has remained empty since 2015 and has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years and has had vegetation growing out of the upper floors, prompting Historic England to add it to its 'Heritage at Risk’ register.
The building has been the subject of proposals to be converted into an office building. The first of such was submitted in 2001, only to be withdrawn. Planning applications to convert the building into apartments have also been rejected by Birmingham City Council on the basis that original internal features would be destroyed. However, the council has since given planning consent to a proposal to convert the building into apartments. It is to be referred to the Local Government Office.
In 2017 it was reported that the Methodists Central hall is set to be transformed into a new £35 million hotel and leisure quarter with a rooftop bar and restaurant.
London-based property investor Ciel Capital has unveiled plans to transform the Grade II*-listed Methodist Central Hall into a leisure complex with a hotel, apart-hotel and a mix of retail and food units.
The Explore
I’ve had my eye on the Methodist Central Hall for a while now, but just never found the time to actually have a look. If I’m honest I expected it to be overly secure due to being located right opposite the huge town centre Magistrates court.
So I happened to be up in the glorious city of Birmingham visiting @Clebby and this building came up in conversation. So Myself, Clebby and a non-member found ourselves paying the extortionate £5.50 an hour parking rates and going for a walk around the hall.
Various options on entry were discussed, although climbing up a drain pipe and walking along the ledge around the building seemed the less popular choice lol. Although if push came to shove I was up for it…
However a more suitable entry point was found and we headed for the tower.
Nice courthouse lol
The main staircase was pretty nice and gave an idea of how grand this place once was.
Although were soon wandering around the various corridors and into various rooms that had been converted to tacky nightclubs. Almost a let down.
Then we found this lovely passage way
And then spotted this view through the door
And found this
We fell silent as we took in the epic of the main hall.
From the stairs to the chairs to the organ this place was ace.
The organ being the highlight and like something from Hogwarts it was out of this world.
Methodist central halls were grand buildings that used to attract thousands of people when the temperance movement was at its strongest. The temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence (teetotalism), leaders emphasizing the sinfulness of drinking as well as the evil effects on personality, family life. Ironically over the years many have been sold off, with some now used as bars and nightclubs.
The Methodist Central Hall, Located in Corporation Street, Birmingham, England, is a three storey red brick and terracotta Grade II* listed building with a distinctive tower at the northern end of Corporation Street, opposite the Victoria Law Courts. It is located within the Steelhouse Conservation Area.
The terracotta was manufactured by the renowned firm of Gibbs and Canning Limited of Tamworth, which also produced decorative works for 179-203 Corporation Street and the interior of the Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham along with the Natural History Museum in London.
The street level has twelve bays of shops (four with their original fronts). The building also runs along Ryder Street and has more original shop fronts.
It was built 1903-4 by architects Ewan Harper & James A. Harper at a cost of £96,165.
Its main hall seats 2,000 and it has over thirty other rooms including three school halls.
In 1991, the Methodist Church was converted into a nightclub; however, this venture closed in 2002.
The hall was re-opened on 14 September 2007 as the 'Que club.' The opening night was hosted by 'Drop Beats Not Bombs'. On re-opening the club has seen extensive repairs and improvements to its decor, and regularly hosted events such as Atomic Jam and Fantasia.
The site has remained empty since 2015 and has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years and has had vegetation growing out of the upper floors, prompting Historic England to add it to its 'Heritage at Risk’ register.
The building has been the subject of proposals to be converted into an office building. The first of such was submitted in 2001, only to be withdrawn. Planning applications to convert the building into apartments have also been rejected by Birmingham City Council on the basis that original internal features would be destroyed. However, the council has since given planning consent to a proposal to convert the building into apartments. It is to be referred to the Local Government Office.
In 2017 it was reported that the Methodists Central hall is set to be transformed into a new £35 million hotel and leisure quarter with a rooftop bar and restaurant.
London-based property investor Ciel Capital has unveiled plans to transform the Grade II*-listed Methodist Central Hall into a leisure complex with a hotel, apart-hotel and a mix of retail and food units.
The Explore
I’ve had my eye on the Methodist Central Hall for a while now, but just never found the time to actually have a look. If I’m honest I expected it to be overly secure due to being located right opposite the huge town centre Magistrates court.
So I happened to be up in the glorious city of Birmingham visiting @Clebby and this building came up in conversation. So Myself, Clebby and a non-member found ourselves paying the extortionate £5.50 an hour parking rates and going for a walk around the hall.
Various options on entry were discussed, although climbing up a drain pipe and walking along the ledge around the building seemed the less popular choice lol. Although if push came to shove I was up for it…
However a more suitable entry point was found and we headed for the tower.
Nice courthouse lol
The main staircase was pretty nice and gave an idea of how grand this place once was.
Although were soon wandering around the various corridors and into various rooms that had been converted to tacky nightclubs. Almost a let down.
Then we found this lovely passage way
And then spotted this view through the door
And found this
We fell silent as we took in the epic of the main hall.
From the stairs to the chairs to the organ this place was ace.
The organ being the highlight and like something from Hogwarts it was out of this world.
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