Birmingham's 'Zombie Quarter': A Restaurant Owner's Fight for Survival
In the heart of Birmingham, a city centre street is being described as a "zombie quarter" by a local restaurant owner who has spent over a decade battling to keep his business alive. Erminio Shahmani, proprietor of La Galleria on Ethel Street, opened his Italian eatery in 2014 and now finds himself as the "last man standing" in an area he says has gone from "bad to worse."
The Decline of a Once-Vibrant Neighbourhood
La Galleria is situated just a stone's throw from Birmingham's New Street Station, one of the UK's busiest rail hubs. Despite its prime location and thousands of glowing online reviews for its authentic Sicilian and Italian dishes, the restaurant is surrounded by empty shops. Shahmani recalls a time when Ethel Street was vibrant and bustling, but now he laments, "All the shops are empty, I'm the only one standing."
The building housing La Galleria was originally a Masonic Hall and later a cinema, adding historical significance to its current plight. Shahmani has worked tirelessly to maintain his restaurant's success, employing staff from across Italy and offering freshly cooked meals from an open kitchen with a pizza oven. However, the neighbourhood's transformation has been stark.
Delivery Bikes and Urban Decay
Each evening, the restaurant's doorstep becomes a gathering point for delivery cyclists waiting for takeaways from other units along New Street. While Shahmani sympathises with their need to earn a living, he describes the situation as a "nightmare." He explains, "They don't seem to realise that you can't sit on someone's doorstep 24/7. It can feel intimidating when you walk past."
This influx of delivery activity, combined with the prevalence of beggars and vacant storefronts, has led Shahmani to label the area a "warzone" and a "dead area." He criticises Birmingham City Council for not doing enough to support businesses in this part of the city centre, contrasting it with other areas where shops remain full.
Uncertain Future Amid Redevelopment Plans
Adding to the uncertainty, planning permission was granted in 2024 to transform the old building into a new office and retail space. Shahmani compares the situation to facing eviction from a home, noting, "If you know you're going to be evicted from your house, you don't want to be in that house any more. But a house and a restaurant are two different things."
Despite the challenges, Shahmani remains determined to stay positive. He asserts, "We've got to remain positive. If you want to move forward you can't let any of those things affect your mindset." However, he acknowledges the harsh reality, stating, "The empty shops speak for themselves."
Lack of Support and Commentary
Colliers, the management company responsible for the building, declined to comment when approached about the vacant units. Shahmani, who has lived in the UK for 30 years and raised three children here, feels overlooked, saying, "We're the forgotten one. This part of Birmingham should be the best part of Birmingham but it's the worst part."
As La Galleria continues to serve its loyal customers with authentic Italian cuisine, the future of this Birmingham "zombie quarter" remains uncertain, symbolising broader struggles faced by city centre businesses across the UK.
