'A key civic site': Birmingham Black Sabbath pub owners urged to rethink over controversial car park

The Crown in Station Street, known as the pub where the legendary Birmingham band performed their first gig, has been vacant for many years despite its historical importance.

Campaigners fighting to ‘save’ the city centre street and its venues want to see the pub reopened to celebrate the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and his bandmates.

But earlier this week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported there was concern among campaigners due to claims the site was being used as a car park despite not having permission.

Toyoko Inn, the company which owns the pub and insists it has plans to restore it, was previously seeking approval for an extension of the car park use on the site for a three-year period.

Darren John, from the Save Station Street campaign, condemned the proposal earlier this year however and argued: “Toyoko will just twiddle their thumbs for another three years, neglecting The Crown despite their promises.”

But, in a move welcomed by Mr John, the city council ultimately decided to refuse the plans over the summer, saying they would be contrary to current policy.

Despite the planning refusal however, it appeared the pub site was still being used as an unauthorised car park recently.

During a visit to the pub on Thursday, December 4, many of the car parking spaces around the back of The Crown were in use while a ‘Euro Car Parks’ sign was advertising parking from £4.50.

The Save Station Street campaign told the LDRS that the situation was ‘disappointing’.

“It shows the continued thumbing of the nose by Toyoko Inn towards the birthplace of Black Sabbath and a key Birmingham civic site,” they argued. “It allows Toyoko Inn to continue generating income and does nothing to progress The Crown’s re-opening.

“For 14 years they’ve let the city down. We don’t know why authorities continue to let them do so.”

The city council confirmed an investigation was under way on Monday, with a spokesperson saying: “Birmingham City Council is aware of the matter and a live enforcement case is ongoing.

“We will be investigating this in line with the Birmingham Local Enforcement Plan.”

Just days after an initial story was published, the council has confirmed that letters have been sent to all parties advising them of the situation and saying the use of the car park should cease within 28 days.

The LDRS previously attempted to contact Euro Car Parks for comment through an online form on its website.

Similarly, contact attempted to be made with Toyoko Inn through a UK architecture firm which has previously acted as its agent.

‘Historically important site’

Toyoko Inn’s ownership of The Crown has been divisive, attracting criticism from campaigners.

But the company has previously said it has plans to not only restore The Crown but also build a new hotel.

A cover letter, included within the recent proposals, said the plans for the car park would have ‘enabled a stable revenue stream’ for the company, which would help with bringing forward a planning application for a major project at the site.

“At the time of writing Toyoko Inn are finalising their plans of the wider site,” the letter said. “It is the intention that the scope of the future project will deliver two connected and coherent elements.”

It continued that they included a new hotel with around 300 beds on the existing car park at the rear of the site and the restoration of The Crown.

“The pub is a historically important site and its new vision will reflect and celebrate this heritage,” the document said.

It argued the proposed scheme would also make an “important contribution” towards the regeneration of Southside District, with the economic impact predicted upwards of £4 million.

“Discussions and expressions of interest are well advanced with funders in respect of the restoration and construction works,” it added.