Broad Street Municipal Car Park. 1st October 1931.
This is a great photograph for enthusiasts of 1930s motor cars.
The
former site of the Old Wharf, was bought in the 1920s by the City
Council in preparation for their grand municipal centre plans, which
included Baskerville House in its designs. The Old Wharf, for around 200
years, had been home to the offices of the Birmingham Canal Company and
used as a coal depot. The same site also played host to the Cadbury
brother's factory from 1847 - 1878 until they moved their factory, lock,
stock and barrel, to the greener pastures of Bournville, to the south of
the city. The same site also had the world renowned 'Eagle' Iron Foundry
based there, the company was known for making a wide range of products
including gear wheels, gates, fire hearths, pots, safes, weights and
many other items.
The site of the Old Wharf was bought by the city after the decline of
the canals and filled in sometime in the 1920s, it then became a large
car park for the expanding population of automobiles in the city. The
council's plans for the development of the area were halted when the
Second World War intervened and eventually the plans were abandoned. The
site was eventually redeveloped and various buildings were constructed
there, including the Central TV studios. Today the site is earmarked for
development of the Arena Central complex.
