United States of Birmingham

Blog by Alex Nicholson-Evans, City Curator

I’ve been absolutely loving the new Sky series, Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham (did you know there are 18 other Birminghams in the world?!). If you haven’t tuned in yet – rectify that by catching up on Sky and streaming service NOW.

The show follows Joe as he visits as many of the US Birminghams as he can, signing formal ‘Friendship Agreements’ with them as he goes. It really is such a giggle to watch but within it there are so many lovely showcases of our city and its heritage.

It’s no secret that film and tv can be incredibly powerful in telling a city’s stories and driving tourism. Visit Britain’s screen tourism research tells us that 9-out-of-10 potential visitors to the UK would be keen to visit film and TV locations during a trip. I think we, as a city, need to get much better at claiming and maximising our screen connections and when I heard about United States of Birmingham, it prompted me to think even more about the relationship between tv & film and civic pride & tourism.

Joe, alongside the teams at North One and Sky, have served up this fun, authentic and heartwarming new series Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham for us all to watch on Sky Max and streaming service NOW. And so, to help fans of the show explore the city, we’ve created the official United States of Birmingham Itinerary: 10 Things You Need To Do In Birmingham UK.

Wonderfully, when I met Nicola Silk, Series Director (& of course a proud Brummie), she was just as excited as I was about the idea of a legacy for the show. It is, of course, no surprise that Joe shared that passion too.

Several cups of coffee and many emails later and we found ourselves with a whole host of ideas to celebrate the series and bring it to life in the city for visitors and locals alike.

The first of which, the official United States of Birmingham Itinerary: 10 Things You Need To Do In Birmingham UK, launches today in partnership with Visit Birmingham. It is the ultimate ‘alternative’ city itinerary for visitors, particularly fans of the show (and a really great fun day out for Brummies too for that matter).

For locals the list will be self explanatory but incase you don’t have a Brummie to guide you, here’s the inside track:

1. Listen to the United States of Birmingham playlist on the Black Sabbath Bridge

Head over to Spotify to access the official playlist, you’ll find that here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1cCRbychIeYK82xvPixWiY?si=mAqkWRxKTYWxa8bw0PoxKA&pi=C_mLThoXTROko, then pop over to the Black Sabbath Bridge (https://blacksabbathbench.co.uk/where-to-findus/). Take a pew on the Black Sabbath Bench, hit play and enjoy a whole host of bangers from the incredible musical talent of Birmingham! It’s all music that has featured in the show.

2. Try a Balti in the original Balti Triangle

For me, this one is simple, jump in a taxi and head to Shababs: https://www.shababsindian.co.uk/. You can read more about Birmingham’s Balti heritage and get some other dining inspo here: https://visitbirmingham.com/inspire-me/areas/balti/ or if you want to deep dive, check out: https:// balti-birmingham.co.uk/\.

3. Experience the whole outer circle on the number 11 bus

Early in episode one Joe tells the world about the iconic number 11 bus route that was, at it’s height, the longest urban bus route in Europe. Hop on, sit back and relax on this 3 hour pilgrimage. Timetable here: https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/services-timetables/11c-birminghamouter-circle-clockwise

4. Eat a Cadbury’s Curly Wurly by the Bull at the Bullring 

Get a little taste of Birmingham’s rich chocolate heritage – buy yourself a Curly Wurly (from any self respecting corner shop, or go direct to source at the Cadbury World shop in Bournville) then eat it next to our city’s icon – the Bull: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3UjJhKuTYhXKKhUv9

5. Say Alright Bab to someone under the Alright Bab sign in Colmore Square

I’ve got a soft spot for this one, because the Alright Bab sign is a light artwork commission for Birmingham Light Festival (I was Festival Director). Read all about it, and where to find it here: https://www.birminghamlightfestival.co.uk/artworks/alright-bab. Oh and if ‘Alright Bab’ isn’t in your day-to-day vocab, Alright Bab is Brummie for ‘how are you’.

6. Honour Mr Egg in whichever way you choose

Now look this one is a tad more complicated. Mr Egg was a late-night greasy spoon / cafe in the city that was basically legendary. It doesn’t exist anymore but you’ll find it’s name plastered across t-shirts, mugs, artworks, pin-badges – the lot, it’s that culturally important to us! There is, still a (completely unrelated) cafe named ‘Mr Egg’ in the same location in Southside too. I checked this one off my list by buying one of these (https://ichoosebirmingham.bigcartel.com/product/mr-egg- 2) and I’ll be taking it on a trip to Hurst Street soon.

7. Admire the Queen Mother’s Pen at the Pen Museum in the Jewellery Quarter

This special pen was loaned to Joe, by the Pen Museum, and used to sign the Friendship Agreements by officials in the Birminghams of North America and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, UK. It’s now back on display in the Jewellery Quarter – a must visit. Opening hours here: https:// penmuseum.org.uk/visit/

8. Enjoy a cob by the canal

Bread roll, bread cake, bun, bap – it’s got many names but in Brum it’s a cob. My order is cheese & onion and I’m buying it from the Craven Arms or the Jewellers Arms. Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice so you’re spoilt for choice on the location front – get some inspo here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/places-to-visit/birmingham-city-centre 

9. Pay homage to the founder of Bird’s Custard in Digbeth

You’ll find the Custard Factory in the heart of Digbeth. Now a hub of independent shops, bars and restaurants, this place was built by Alfie Bird to produce Bird’s Custard in 1906. More on that here: https://www.digbeth.com/workspaces/custard-factory If you want to level up this check list item, see if Passing Fancies (https:// www.passingfanciesbar.co.uk/) have their Drunk Custard cocktail on the menu or try the Kray Treadwell’s Custard Factory Tart at 670gramms (https://670grams.com/). You’ll have to try the whole tasting menu to get this little nibble – but that’s the price you pay for commitment to the cause and you won’t regret it.

10. Pledge allegiance to the United States of Birmingham under the USB flag at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

For the last item on the list you’re heading to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery where you’ll find the official United States of Birmingham flag on display (in the Industrial Gallery at the point of writing). Check the museum’s opening hours and find out more about visiting here: https:// www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/birmingham-museum-and-art-gallery/visit. The flag was designed by Joe and the production team, mid-way through their road trip, whilst sitting on a bus to Birmingham Iowa In August 2024. It was raised in Victoria Square on September 24 2024, the inaugural International Day of Birmingham.

So there you have it, an alternative city itinerary, a little taster of the city’s heritage and a cracking way to spend a day (or two). If you like this, stay tuned because there are a few other United States of Birmingham ideas in play too. More soon!