Victoria Square - A Birmingham Gem!

Victoria Square was originally called Council House Square, but was re-named to Victoria Square after Queen Victoria in 1901, just 12 days before she passed away.


Where is Victoria Square?

Victoria Square is in Birmingham, B1

 

In brief

Originally named Council House Square (from 1874), it was renamed to Victoria Square in 1901, 12 days before the death of Queen Victoria, when her statue was unveiled. The square has had many changes since, the last major regeneration was completed in 1993, and the most recent ongoing in the 2010s and 2020s. The home of three major works of art: the Queen Victoria statue, River and Youth (and variations) and Iron: Man.

Victoria SquareVictoria Square, River and Youth to the Council House (January 2024). Photography by Jack Babington

 

More details about Victoria Square

Located in the heart of the City, Victoria Square is home to the Council House and the Town Hall, two wonderful architectural examples of Birmingham's fascinating history. To the south of the square is Victoria Square House and No 1 Victoria Square.

Victoria Square

Victoria Square (2019). Photography by Karl Newton

 

Connecting roads include New Street, Pinfold Street, Hill Street, Paradise Street, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street.

Victoria Square is a wonderful location in which to take in all that is happening in the city, and, as can be seen from the following, the Square is a magnet for keen photographers.  

The 'Iron Man', the Council House, the statue of Vicroria R, and 103 Colmore Row from Victoria Square courtesy Daniel Sturley

 

History of Victoria Square

Victoria Square was originally called Council House Square until it was renamed in 1901. The square has been remodelled several times, including in the early 1990s and more recently with the Westside Metro extension at the end of the 2010s. Going back in time, we find Christ Chuch (built 1805 to 1813, demolished in 1899). There was then a building called Christ Church Buildings  (also called Galloway Corner) on that site, but that too was later demolished in the 1970s. It occupied part of what is now Victoria Square, until it was demolished (this is where River and Youth is now). The Christ Church name survives today with Christ Church Passage.

Victoria Square

Christmas Eve 2020 in Victoria Square. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham Council House

The Council House was built between 1874 to 1879, and was by architect Yeoville Thomason. It is a Grade II* listed building. It is home to Birmingham City Council.

Birmingham Council House courtesy Daniel Sturley

 

Birmingham Town Hall

The oldest building in the square was built between 1832 and 1834, and was designed by architects Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch. The Grade I listed building was refurbished between 2002 and 2007. It was the first example of the 19th Century revival of Roman Architecture in Birmingham.

Birmingham Town Hall courtesy Elliott Brown

 

Victoria Square House and No 1 Victoria Square

On the left is Victoria Square House, this was built from 1899 to 1901, and operated as the General Post Office until 1972 (when the Royal Mail moved to larger premises, which is now The Mailbox). It was later the headquarters of the TSB. It was saved from demolition by the Victorian Society, although the former sorting office behind was demolished in 1989. The present rear building opened in 1991. No 1 Victoria Square is on the right (corner of Hill Street and Paradise Street) and built between 1983 and 1985.

Victoria Square

Victoria Square House and No 1 Victoria Square (January 2020) courtesy Elliott Brown

 

125 and 130 Colmore Row

These two buildings at the end of Colmore Row and Waterloo Street, and are next to Victoria Square. 125 Colmore Row is home to Starbucks Coffee (on the ground floor), while 130 Colmore Row is currently home to Theatrix. 125 Colmore Row was completed in 2002. 130 Colmore Row was built in 1903 by Goddard & Co. of Leicester for the Alliance Assurance.

Victoria Square

125 and 130 Colmore Row from Victoria Square (winter 2017/18) courtesty of George Daley

 

Christchurch Passage

These steps leads up from New Street to Waterloo Street, has the name of the lost Christ Church and Christ Church Buildings. It has been in it's present form since Victoria Square was rebuilt in the early 1990s. From the early 1970s to the early 1990s there used to be shops down here, but they were gone by 1993.

Christchurch Passage

103 Colmore Row from Christchurch Passage (November 2020) courtesy Elliott Brown

 

Statues and public art

Two works of art that can be seen in Victoria Square are the statue of Queen Victoria erected in 1901 and The Rivert Art, more commonly known as 'Floozie in the Jacuzzi', by Indian sculptor Dhruva Mistry unveiled in 1993.

 

Statue of Queen Victoria

The Queen Victoria statue was originally designed in marble by Thomas Brock in 1901, and was later cast in bronze by William Bloye in 1951. The sceptre were replaced in 2011. She last got a deep clean in 2018.

Statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square courtesy Daniel Sturley

 

Floozie in the Jacuzzi

Known as River and Youth, it was unveiled in 1993 and was sculpted by Dhruva Mistry. Known locally by Brummies by her nickname of the "Floozie in the Jacuzzi". There is also a a pair of Sphinx Guardians. The fountain was repaired between September 2021 and April 2022 (while the Floozie went into storage before returning). And was in full working order by May and June 2022.

'Floozie in the Jacuzzi' in Victoria Square courtesy Jack Babington

 

Iron:Man

The Iron:Man by Antony Gormley was unveiled in Victoria Square in 1993. It used to be outside of Victoria Square House, until it was removed to storage in September 2017 to allow the building of the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square. The statue came back in February 2022, to a new location outside of the Town Hall.

Iron:Man Victoria Square

Iron:Man in Victoria Square (May 2011) courtesy Elliott Brown

 

 

Town Hall Tram Stop

Between 2017 and 2019, construction of The Westside Metro extension took in Victoria Square between Pinfold Street and Paradise Street. This included a tram stop on Paradise Street next to the Town Hall. 

Tram passing through Victoria Square courtesy Daniel Sturley




 

Events over the years in Victoria Square

Victoria Square hosts many events throughout the year, the largest and most popular being the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. 

The Commonwealth Games and Birmingham Festival 2022

Courtesy Daniel Sturley

PoliNations

Between the 2nd and the 18th of September 2022, Birmingham hosted an amazing garden full of colour, beauty and natural diversity called PoliNations which has opened up many conversations.

'PoliNations' in Victoria Square courtesy Daniel Sturley

Queen Elizabeth 2nd Jubilee 2022

courtesy Daniel Sturley

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market has been taking place in Birmingham annually for over 20 years, every November and December. Stretching from Victoria Square down New Street.

BFCM Victoria Square

Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham (2019) courtesy Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot and The Big Sleuth

During the summer of 2015 and 2017 there was trails of owls and bears all around Birmingham. In both summers Victoria Square had quite a lot of them on display for 10 weeks. Before being auctioned off for charity.

Alf the Penguin Owl was by the artist Deven Bhurke. The sponsor was The National SEA LIFE Centre.

The Big Hoot Victoria Square

Alf the Penguin Owl (by artist Deven Bhurke) in Victoria Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spock by artists Maria Shrigley and Patricia Shrigley. The sponsor was Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

Spock Victoria Square

Spock (by artists Maria Shrigley and Patricia Shrigley) in Victoria Square (July 2017) Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Lost Buildings of Victoria Square

Several buildings have gone up in the 19th and 20th Centuries in the area now called Victoria Square, including Christ Church, which got replaced by Christ Church Buildings  (also called Galloway Corner).

 

Christ Church

Christ Church was built between 1805 and 1813, on land between Colmore Row and New Street. It was built in the Classical style, but it was later demolished in 1899.

The drawing below was made in 1829 by the artist Thomas Radclyffe. The publisher was William Emans. In the collection of the Birmingham Museums Trust.

Christ Church

Public Domain Dedication image of Christ Church Birmingham in 1829 from the Birmingham Museums Trust collection

 

Birmingham City Transport buses in Victoria Square

This classic photo of Victoria Square dates to around 1932, from The Francis Frith Collection. The large print was at Metro Bank on High Street (near Rotunda Square). But is now at The Transport Museum, Wythall (in their cafe). It depicts a couple of classic Birmingham City Transport buses in or near Victoria Square, with the statues of Queen Victoria (still in marble) and King Edward VII. Galloways Corner would survive for almost another 40 years. The White Star Line had offices here.

Victoria SquareVictoria Square, Birmingham circa 1932. Courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection. Public Domain

 

Galloways Corner

The Christ Church Buildings was offices built by Essex, Nicol & Goodman in 1901 in the French Renaissance style. It survived until it was demolished in the 1970 for an unbuilt part of the Inner Ring Road. Also known as Galloways Corner.

Galloways Corner

Galloways Corner in Victoria Square circa 1954. Photo copyrighted to Geoff Dowling

Project dates

29 May 2019 - On-going

Passions

Civic pride, Art; Culture & creativity, Modern Architecture
Squares and public spaces, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

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Squares and public spaces
12 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - March 2023 update

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Since January 2023, most of Victoria Square has been closed for more repaving of the square. The Floozie fountain has been turned off. Mostly the area in front of the Council House to the River statue, and the area below the Youth statue. The bit near the Town Hall was done in previous years. In 2022 they returned the Iron: Man statue and Floozie in the Jacuzzi fountain repaired.

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Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - March 2023 update





Since January 2023, most of Victoria Square has been closed for more repaving of the square. The Floozie fountain has been turned off. Mostly the area in front of the Council House to the River statue, and the area below the Youth statue. The bit near the Town Hall was done in previous years. In 2022 they returned the Iron: Man statue and Floozie in the Jacuzzi fountain repaired.


21st January 2022

The River and Youth statues in storage, while the fountain was repaired. It was back working in time for the Commonwealth Games that summer.

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10th February 2022

The Council House got a jet wash, while a spot in Victoria Square was being prepared for the return of the Iron: Man statue by Antony Gormley.

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28th February 2022

The Iron: Man is reinstated in a new position in Victoria Square, months before the Commonwealth Games, having been in storage for around five years.

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9th April 2022

Paving completed around the Queen Victoria statue.

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The River statue by Dhruva Mistry has been lowered back into it's basin. It was removed, back in September 2021, ahead of the repairs to the fountain.

dndimg alt="Floozie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20returns%20Vic%20%20Sq%2009042022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

23rd April 2022

St George's Day with a massive flag on the Town Hall. Not long before the fountain was turned back on. The paving here looked tired after 30 years.

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11th June 2022

View from 103 Colmore Row, during Key to the City. The River and Youth fountains were back on. As you can see the paving around the fountain had yet to be done, this would have to wait until early 2023, due to events coming up, such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that summer. It was at this time that the Queen Victoria statue was transformed by artist Hew Locke (Foreign Exchange).

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

23rd July 2022

During the Commonwealth Games, local street artists painted over the old paving, as can be seen from 103 Colmore Row (during Key to the City).

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13th August 2022

After the end of the Commonwealth Games, Victoria Square was returned back to normal. This would not last long before PoliNations was installed here.

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8th October 2022

After PoliNations ended, this was the last time Victoria Square was fully opened, before the return of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. Before that was Diwali on the Square in October. Work to resume renovating the square, only started up again at the end of December 2022.

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12th January 2023

A few weeks after the end of the last Frankfurt Christmas Market closed, most of Victoria Square was fenced off again for repaving works.

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22nd January 2023

The route past the Town Hall and Iron: Man statue is open from Victoria Square towards Chamberlain Square.

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Hoardings have gone back up again around the Council House, Council House Extension, Museum & Art Gallery again, the renovation and rewiring works will take until sometime in 2024.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2022012023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Near Starbucks, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street. Pedestrians can enter the path either side of this gate. It is the construction site entrance.

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A view to the Council House entrance. It will be closed until the renovation works here are completed by 2024.

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8th March 2023

From the bottom of Victoria Square, a view to the Council House through a gap in a gate. The lower paving looks almost complete.

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A view from Christchurch Passage, past one of the Sphinx guardian statues. Can't see much here other than the steps.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2008032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

During the week is workers on site, so didn't want to get my camera over the high fence, this is the path from Colmore Row / Waterloo Street, through the top of Victoria Square towards the Town Hall and Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2008032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

12th March 2023

From the top of Victoria Square, near the Council House. There is a gate and high fence, so bit hard to see what is going on up here.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2012032023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The 1993 paving has been removed and they are repaving from the Council House towards the top basin of the River and Youth fountain.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2012032023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The stone spheres / balls appears to have been removed. Is a lot of repaving needed here.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2012032023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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17 Oct 2022 - Elliott Brown
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Diwali on the Square in Victoria Square

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I've only really passed through Victoria Square while Diwali on the Square was on, just stopping to get my photos in the middle of my photo walk. These are my photos of the event from October 2018, October 2019 and October 2022. It was held by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Indian Consulate General of Birmingham.

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Diwali on the Square in Victoria Square





I've only really passed through Victoria Square while Diwali on the Square was on, just stopping to get my photos in the middle of my photo walk. These are my photos of the event from October 2018, October 2019 and October 2022. It was held by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Indian Consulate General of Birmingham.


Diwali is usually celebrated by the Indian community in Birmingham every October. In the last couple of years of the 2010s, the Indian Consulate General of Birmingham organised an event along with the West Midlands Combined Authority, and taking place in Victoria Square. Due to the Pandemic, there was no event in the square during 2020 and 2021, but it returned in 2022. There is usually a stage with music and dancing on it. Various stands with food and drink, hand and face painting etc.

 

Diwali on the Square - 20th October 2018

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Diwali on the Square - 19th October 2019

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Diwali on the Square - 15th October 2022

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022

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PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.

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PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022





PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.


PoliNations is part of Unboxed Creativity in the UK. During the last three weeks of August 2022, after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games things were dismantled (including Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange on the Queen Victoria statue). PoliNations moved in.

The free event is due to take place from the 2nd to 18th September 2022.

Step into a spectacular city-centre garden of magical proportions where you will be welcomed by an epic array of colour and nature.  

Giant architectural trees and thousands of plants will transform Victoria Square into an urban oasis, which will host free events, workshops and performances including live music, dance, spoken word and drag.

This supernatural wonderland uncovers the origin stories of the plants we know so well – daisies, pansies, apple trees, roses – in fact these, and most of the plants we see in our gardens are not from the UK. They tell the story of journeys, movement, dispersal, and new roots. 

PoliNations is a celebration of colour, beauty, and of natural diversity. Explore, enjoy and be your true unique self. You can experience music from around the world, an incredible light show each evening, and a grand finale like no other where the tree’s canopies will burst into a joyful cloud of confetti and colour.  

This is Carnival and Holi combined in one brilliant, messy, playful party and everyone is invited.

 

I first spotted the giant trees from Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

Heading into Victoria Square, the PoliNations construction is all fenced off at the moment.

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They encourage people to get public transport to PoliNations, including the West Midlands Metro, get off at Town Hall Tram Stop. Also in walking distance of the main railway stations and your bus stops.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

The statue of Queen Victoria has been returned to normal after two months as Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

Key to the City ended on the 7th August, so it will no longer be possible to get views of Victoria Square from the 18th floor balcony like before.

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Heading down Pinfold Street, then catching a view of a tram heading up towards Victoria Square and the PoliNations trees.

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dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

I will probably get more photos of PoliNations over the next couple of weekends, and probably in September as well (if time).

 

Photos by Elliott Brown

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17 Aug 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Victoria Square - View from 103, Key to the City

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In June 2022, Elliott was gifted the Key to the City by the lady behind the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts. He visited 103 Colmore Row for views from the 18th floor balcony four times between June and August 2022. Here are the changing views of Victoria Square. Including during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

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Victoria Square - View from 103, Key to the City





In June 2022, Elliott was gifted the Key to the City by the lady behind the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts. He visited 103 Colmore Row for views from the 18th floor balcony four times between June and August 2022. Here are the changing views of Victoria Square. Including during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.


Having missed the February 2022 meet at 103 Colmore Row, Elliott was promised to get the key to 103 Colmore Row. He was gifted it by the lady who runs the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Between June and August, he went up four times. Usually as the view of Victoria Square kept changing. He always went on Saturday's.

Every time you arrive, you show your key to one of the Key to the City volunteers. The wait in the foyer could be anywhere between 20 minutes and 50 minutes (especially near the end of the Commonwealth Games). You would get a slot of 10 to 15 minutes to go up the fastest lift to the 18th floor, for views from the balcony.

It was an opportunity to get views of Victoria Square. When street art was painted ahead of the games, Elliott went twice on two Saturday's in July. And one final time in August on Super Saturday, while the 60th Jamaican Independence Day was being celebrated.

 

11th June 2022

General views down to Victoria Square from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row.

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dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

River and Youth aka the Floozie in the Jacuzzi was flowing again.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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Hew Locke reimagined the Queen Victoria statue as an artwork called Foreign Exchange (with the IKON Gallery). It would remain here for two months (until the middle of August 2022). Sir Antony Gormey's Iron: Man statue seen to the left.

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dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew%20Locke%20QV%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Council House from above.

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Victoria Square House from above.

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The Town Hall from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Victoria%20Sq%2011062022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

16th July 2022

Second visit to the 18th floor balcony, to see the artwork being painted called Connections by the artist Anjuli McKenna, in Victoria Square. It was half complete at this point.

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Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange artwork with Iron: Man as it was meant to be seen.

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The Town Hall again, this time with a Perry the Bull banner on Beneficial House behind.

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23rd July 2022

One week on, and the Victoria Square Fan Zone was almost complete, several days before the start of the Commonwealth Games. Also to see the Connections street art in Victoria Square fully complete. There was now a stage in the square, and would be the finish point for the Birmingham Marathona week later. The West Midlands Metro trams were also now running all the way between Wolverhampton St George's and Edgbaston Village.

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West Midlands Metro trams passing Victoria Square and stopping at Town Hall Tram Stop, in both directions.

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See more of that day here Riding trams in Zone 1.

 

6th August 2022

Super Saturday, and the final weekend of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the City Centre was very busy. It was also the 60th anniversary of Jamaican Independence which was being celebrated in Victoria Square at the time. This would be my final visit to 103 Colmore Row, before Key to the City ended the following day.

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Thank you to 103 Colmore Row, the Key to the City volunteers, to Fierce and Yale Locks.

 

Next up is PoliNations in September 2022, but will have to get views from Victoria Square itself.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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110 passion points
Art; Culture & creativity
22 May 2021 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Victoria Square - places of interest mapped for you

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Here we have mapped a selection of places that we would recommend as of real cultural interest in Victoria Square.

This includes: 

Birmingham Council House, The Town Hall, Victoria Square House; The River and Youth ('Floozie in the Jacuzzi'), and the Statue of Queen Victoria.

Enjoy!.

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Victoria Square - places of interest mapped for you





Here we have mapped a selection of places that we would recommend as of real cultural interest in Victoria Square.

This includes: 

Birmingham Council House, The Town Hall, Victoria Square House; The River and Youth ('Floozie in the Jacuzzi'), and the Statue of Queen Victoria.

Enjoy!.


Victoria Square is home to Birmingham's historic Council House.

Victoria Square was originally called Council House Square, but was re-named to Victoria Square after Queen Victoria in 1901, just 12 days before she passed away.

Here we have mapped some of the highlights in Victoria Square.  Enjoy with our compliments our map of this amazing public space.

 

Historic architecture

First let's introduce you to some magificent architecture and historic builds that are on display in Victoria Square. 

The Birmingham Council House

The Council House was built between 1874 to 1879, and was designed by architect Yeoville Thomason. It is a Grade II* listed building and is home to Birmingham City Council.

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Photography by Daniel Sturley.

For more on the Council House, CONNECT HERE.

 

Birmingham Town Hall

The Town Hall is the oldest building in the square was built between 1832 and 1834. It was designed by architects Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch. The Grade I listed building was refurbished between 2002 and 2007. It was the first example of the 19th Century revival of Roman Architecture in Birmingham.

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Photography by Elliott Brown.

For more on the Town Hall, CONNECT HERE.

 

Victoria Square House

Victoria Square House was built from 1899 to 1901, and operated as the General Post Office until 1972 when the Royal Mail moved to larger premises. this building was saved from demolition by the Victorian Society.

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Photography by Elliott Brown.

For more on Victoria Square House, CONNECT HERE.

 

Public Art

There are two great examples of public art that can be enjoyed in Victoria Square.

River and Youth ('Floozie in the Jacuzzi')

River and Youth was unveiled in 1993 and was sculpted by Dhruva Mistry. It is known locally by 'Brummies' by her nickname of the "Floozie in the Jacuzzi". There is also a a pair of Sphinx Guardians.

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Photography by Daniel Sturley

For more on the Floozie in the Jacuzzi, CONNECT HERE.

 

The Statue of Queen Victoria

The Queen Victoria statue was originally designed in marble by Thomas Brock in 1901, and was later cast in bronze by William Bloye in 1951.

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.birminghamgems.com/uploadedfiles/IMG_5291b_VSQ.jpg" />

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

For more on the statue of Queen Victoria, CONNECT HERE.

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30 passion points
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12 Apr 2021 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Big Egg Hunt in Victoria Square, February 2013

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Lets time travel back to February 2013, when for a week, The Big Egg Hunt was on around Birmingham City Centre. 101 eggs to find. These were the eggs that were in Victoria Square at the time. Plus some Lindt Gold bunny's! The trail went nationwide at the time. Does anyone remember them? Hope everyone had a nice 2nd Covid Easter Bank Holiday Weekend break at home.

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The Big Egg Hunt in Victoria Square, February 2013





Lets time travel back to February 2013, when for a week, The Big Egg Hunt was on around Birmingham City Centre. 101 eggs to find. These were the eggs that were in Victoria Square at the time. Plus some Lindt Gold bunny's! The trail went nationwide at the time. Does anyone remember them? Hope everyone had a nice 2nd Covid Easter Bank Holiday Weekend break at home.


THE BIG EGG HUNT

VICTORIA SQUARE

FEBRUARY 2013

 

Coming to Central Birmingham in the last week of February 2013, was The Big Egg Hunt. A trail of 101 painted Easter Eggs. The trail went around all the major Cities in the UK, including Birmingham. And they would be auctioned off at the end of the trail for charity.


There was loads of Easter Eggs in Victoria Square, too many to take in one go, so I only took photos of a couple of them at the time. This view to the Council House.

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Humpty Dumpty to the far left, a Lindt Gold Bunny on the right.

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The charity was Action for Children. The trail was fun for kids and adults alike to see.

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View of all the Big Eggs towards 130 Colmore Row, at the Colmore Row corner with Waterloo Street. This was the site from 1901 to 1970 of Galloway's Corner.

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A Frugal Meal

Near the bottom of the steps at Victoria Square was this caricature of King George III eating a egg in a egg cup. A Frugal Meal by the artist Charlie Billingham. Lot No. 14.

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Leafy Abstract

This green egg looked a bit like a dinosaur egg. Was near the bottom of the steps close to one of the Sphinx Guardians. Leafy Abstract by the artist Laura Morrison. Lot No. 41.

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Humpty Dumpty

Careful that you don't knock Humpty Dumpty over or he'd break up into a million of pieces!

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Lindt Gold Bunny

One of the Lindt Gold Bunny's in Victoria Square at the time.

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Another Lindt Gold Bunny

A giant Lindt Gold Bunny surrounded by fences.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

More Lindt Gold Bunny's

About four Lindt Gold Bunny's outside of the main entrance to the Council House, with Starbucks Coffee to the right.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hope you had a nice Easter 2021 and Passover 5781.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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30 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
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Whatever happened to Antony Gormley's Iron:Man in Victoria Square?

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Iron:Man by Anthony Gormley was originally located in Victoria Square from 1993 until it was moved to storage in 2017. Originally named Untitled but nicknamed as Iron:Man. The TSB used to be in Victoria Square House and it was their gift to the City (until their HQ moved to Bristol). When will it return and where will it go?

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Whatever happened to Antony Gormley's Iron:Man in Victoria Square?





Iron:Man by Anthony Gormley was originally located in Victoria Square from 1993 until it was moved to storage in 2017. Originally named Untitled but nicknamed as Iron:Man. The TSB used to be in Victoria Square House and it was their gift to the City (until their HQ moved to Bristol). When will it return and where will it go?


Iron:Man by Antony Gormley

The statue of the Iron:Man used to be located in Victoria Square from March 1993 until it was removed to storage in September 2017, to make way for the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square. While this extension opened in December 2019, Antony Gormley's Iron:Man has yet to return. As new paving was being laid in Victoria Square. And as far as I am aware, it is not yet finished (I've not been back to the City Centre in 3 months of lockdown, but have seen other peoples recent photos of the square).

It was originally a gift to the city from the TSB whose headquarters used to be in Victoria Square House. Unveiled in 1993. It was originally named Untitled but gained the nickname Iron:Man from locals. It is made of iron. The TSB moved out of Victoria Square House when they merged with Lloyds Bank in 1995.

The statue was cast at the Firth Rixon Castings in Willenhall. It represented the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country.

The statue remained in place for many years, it was suggested that it be relocate to Bristol which was the new headquarters location of Lloyds TSB. But as it was a gift to the City of Birmingham it remained here. But it was removed to storage in September 2017 ahead of the building of the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square (Grand Central Tram Stop to Library Tram Stop).

I would assume that it could return to Victoria Square later in 2020 if the paving is finished.

 

Iron:Man maquette at the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre

During my September 2018 visit to the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre, while I did not find the full sized Iron:Man, I did find this maquette.

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This was Antony Gormley's preliminary model made out of painted plaster.

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It apparently used to be located at the the Public Art Commissions Agency in the Jewellery Quarter, but for whatever reason, it ended up in storage here in the warehouse.

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Iron:Man in Victoria Square until 2017

My first photo of the Iron:Man was taken during April 2009, when I started going around Birmingham with my camera. Here backed with the Town Hall.

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The next view of the Iron:Man was taken during May 2009 facing Victoria Square House.

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The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market was on during November 2009, with this Iron:Man view. You can also see the old 103 Colmore Row AKA National Westminster House by the late John Madin.

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The Iron:Man seen during May 2011. Union Jack bunting was up around Victoria Square near the Town Hall during the early May Bank Holiday weekend that followed the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Aston Villa fan Prince William and Catherine Middleton).

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It was Armed Forces Day in Victoria Square during June 2011. There was members of the British Armed Forces in uniform near the Iron:Man.

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Including members of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and British Army. The Iron:Man had been in this slanted position since being installed back in 1993.

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The snow of January 2013 as I headed past the Iron:Man towards Broad Street. Probably the only timed I've caught the Iron:Man covered in snow!

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Back to Spring like weather in April 2013. And the Iron:Man was witness to the English Market at the St George's Day Celebrations that year.

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The Iron:Man in September 2013 with a British Red Cross tent during the 4 Squares Weekender.

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Caught a glimpse of the Iron:Man in Victoria Square during June 2014 when the Lord Mayors Show 2014 was being held. At the time there was some men doing bike tricks near the Council litter pickers!

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Some of my last views of the Iron:Man. The view below taken in August 2017. A month before being removed to storage.

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Last views in September 2017. A seagull was standing on Iron:Man's head. And left bird mess on top of it.

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Pink Midland Metro Alliance barriers and fences had gone around the statue, as workmen were preparing to remove the statue and take it to storage. About a week after this it was gone.

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Iron:Man had been in storage now for almost 3 years. When will he return? Where exactly in Victoria Square will he be placed? Perhaps in front of the Town Hall? Could he come back near the end of 2020?

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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11 Jun 2020 - Your Place Your Space
News & Updates

The 2020 Entry for the Chelsea Flower Show on Display in Victoria Square - 10th June 2020

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Daniel's been over to Victoria Square to take a selection of photos of the wonderful floral tribute from Birmingham to the NHS and all our brilliant frontline workers.  

Much of what is on display would have been used at Birmingham's entry at the 2020 Chelsea Flower Show which has been cancelled this year.

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The 2020 Entry for the Chelsea Flower Show on Display in Victoria Square - 10th June 2020





Daniel's been over to Victoria Square to take a selection of photos of the wonderful floral tribute from Birmingham to the NHS and all our brilliant frontline workers.  

Much of what is on display would have been used at Birmingham's entry at the 2020 Chelsea Flower Show which has been cancelled this year.


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Photos by Daniel Sturley

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50 passion points
Civic pride
08 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

The statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square

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The original marble statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled in Victoria Square on the 10th January 1901 (12 days before her death). It was sculpted by Thomas Brock. The statue had to be replaced with a bronze casting in 1951 by the sculptor William Bloye. In 2011 a new bronze sceptre was installed. And the statue was conserved in 2018 by the Birmingham Civic Society.

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The statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square





The original marble statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled in Victoria Square on the 10th January 1901 (12 days before her death). It was sculpted by Thomas Brock. The statue had to be replaced with a bronze casting in 1951 by the sculptor William Bloye. In 2011 a new bronze sceptre was installed. And the statue was conserved in 2018 by the Birmingham Civic Society.


The Statue of Queen Victoria, Victoria Square, Birmingham

In 2018 the Birmingham Civic Society gave the statue of Queen Victoria a deep clean, which saw scaffolding go up around April 2018. By May 2018 it was looking as good as new. Back in 2011 a new bronze sceptre was installed to replace the long missing one.

The PMSA has a detailed description of the history of the statue, now preserved on the Web Archive.

Mr W. H. Barber who was a Birmingham solicitor and benefactor of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, offered to present the first outdoor statue of Queen Victoria to Birmingham in 1897, during the Diamond Jubilee year. He considered Thomas Brock to be the most suitable sculptor. Barber insisted that it be an enlarged replica of Brock's statue at Worcester Hall. The City accepted the offer on the 27th July 1897 and the completed work was unveiled 12 days before the death of Queen Victoria, on the 10th January 1901. It was in an outside space original named Council House Square, renamed to Victoria Square.

The original statue was made of white marble standing on a pedestal of dark Cornish granite. The figure of the Queen made more monumental with long state robes. The statue remained here, at one point statues of John Skirrow Wright and Joseph Priestley were here until 1913. Only to be replaced by the statue of King Edward VII.

During the VE Day celebrations on the 8th May 1945, there were men sitting on top of the statue, and the orb was badly damaged. The statue remained in place until 1950.

The square was redesigned in 1950 as a permanent work marking the Festival of Britain in 1951. The statue of King Edward VII was moved to Highgate Park, and as the marble original of Queen Victoria had weathered badly, Birmingham City Council and the Birmingham Civic Society provided a grant towards reproducing it in bronze.

The old statue was removed from Victoria Square on the 13th March 1950, and it was renovated by William Bloye who cast it in bronze. It returned on the 25th May 1951 and erected on a pedestal of light coloured Cornish granite. It was unveiled on the 9th June 1951 by the Princess Elizabeth (now our current Queen from 6th February 1952 to present).

In 1993 Victoria Square was pedestrianised and included new sculptures by Dhruva Mistry and Antony Gormley. The statue of Queen Victoria was moved slightly at the time. The square was re-opened by the Princess of Wales on the 6th May 1993.

More recently, the Birmingham Civic Society had a new bronze Sceptre made, to replace the one long since missing, this was done in February 2011. Scaffolding went up around the statue in late April 2018 for a deep clean. By the following month it was looking as good as new. New paving continues to be installed around Victoria Square, this started in 2019 as Town Hall Tram Stop was opened on Paradise Street, and continues well into 2020.

 

2009

My first photos of the statue of Queen Victoria were taken in April 2009, when I started going around Birmingham with my then Fujifilm compact camera. The brilliant blue sky going into Chamberain Square behind.

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As you can see the tip of the Sceptre was missing. It would be replaced for another two years.

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Some views of the statue taken during August 2009. By then I had my first Fujifilm bridge camera. So got some new photos of Queen Victoria.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Aug 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up and you still see that the tip of the Sceptre was missing.

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The statue always works quite well with the late 19th Century Council House architecture.

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During the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, in November 2009, you could see the statue of Queen Victoria to the left of a Helter Skelter ride.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In this view of the statue you can see the original 103 Colmore Row which was designed by John Madin (now being replaced). It was built from 1973 and opened in 1976. It was demolished in 2016. Was known as National Westminster House.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was also a carrousel to the right, which returns to Victoria Square every Christmas season with the BFCM.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2009) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2011

The tip of the Sceptre was replaced by February 2011, completing the statue as it was originally meant to look.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

But the bronze was looking a bit weathered even back in 2011.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Forward flag was flying on the top of the Town Hall, as you can see Queen Victoria holding her Orb.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the back you can hardly tell that the tip of the Sceptre was brand new!

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2013

Probably the only time I've seen the statue of Queen Victoria covered in snow was back in January 2013. This was the snowfall on the 18th January 2013. It was so cold and the snow was falling!

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Jan 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In September 2013 was 4 Squares Weekender. This was held over the weekend of the 6th to 8th September 2013. Members of Nofit State Circus were standing on the roof of a caravan. There was flags and buntings all over the square at the time.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Sept 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I wonder if the Queen was amused or not? It was the weekend celebrating the opening of the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Sept 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2015

Now onto December 2015 with the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market again. To the right of the statue of Queen Victoria was a pair of portacabins, with the top one saying Merry Christmas! Heart 100.7.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Dec 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind all the huts of the BFCM was the annual Happy Christmas Birmingham lit up on the Council House. With it's line of lions above.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Dec 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

Seen on Remembrance Sunday in Victoria Square during November 2017. It was on the 12th November 2017 as a crowd gathered around Birmingham's Cenotaph at the time in front of the Council House. As the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham led the Service of Remembrance (this was moved to Colmore Row / Cathedral Square in 2018 and 2019).

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

The view from January 2018, as Queen Victoria has a new backing into Chamberlain Square with the then being built One Chamberlain Square. It was heavily raining at the time. This was around the time that Carillion went into liquidation (and would be months before BAM took over).

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Jan 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In April 2018, Birmingham was celebrating the end of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia, while looking forward to the games in Birmingham in 2022. Birmingham was being broadcast live to the world at the time, as big performance took place in the square. A couple of 2022 flags to the right of the statue of Queen Victoria.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A few weeks later, scaffolding went up around the statue for it's deep clean. The statue goes well with the columns of the Town Hall, and you can see One Chamberlain Square to the right through the columns.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A few days after the scaffolding got a bit of a roof. The Birmingham Civic Society had the statue given a deep clean. It would look as good as new the next time I saw it.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Wow! What a result! By May 2018 the statue of Queen Victoria was looking amazing after the conservation work that took place the month before. Crane to the left at Paradise Birmingham. BAM had taken over One Chamberlain Square and started Two Chamberlain Square by this point in time.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (May 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It is now July 2018. New steps had been built around the base of the statue of Queen Victoria, while the hoardings of the West Midlands Metro extension were in front of her.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (July 2018) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I also saw this view down Pinfold Street at the time towards Birmingham New Street Station. A contrast between modern architecture and Victorian architecture. With Victoria Square House to the right.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (July 2018) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

During August 2018, I got this view of the Town Hall, One Chamberlain Square, the Queen Victoria statue and the Council House in one shot.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Aug 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now pink and blue adverts on the West Midlands Metro extension hoardings in October 2018. Was temporary tarmac around the new steps. Victoria Square House directly in front of the Queen and No. 1 Victoria Square to the right. The Beetham Tower is seen down Hill Street.

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In November 2018, I was in the Banqueting Suite at the Council House for the first Annual Birmingham We Are event that I attended. And got this view of the statue of Queen Victoria, facing the construction site of the West Midlands Metro extension. Lots of temporary tarmac around, as the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market would soon be back again.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

I got this view in February 2019 of the Queen Victoria statue. With the Town Hall, Chamberlain Memorial and One Chamberlain Square behind. The view behind has changed quite a lot in 10 years!

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was a temporary guest in Victoria Square during May 2019, the Knife Angel. Queen Victoria shining to the left. While you can also see the Town Hall, Two Chamberlain Square, the Chamberlain Memorial and One Chamberlain Square. I'd previously seen the Knife Angel in Coventry in March 2019. It was by Alfie Bradley. It was still on a Nationwide tour when the pandemic and lockdown hit in 2020. (Click the link above to check out my Knife Angel post).

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (May 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2020

The Birmingham We Are annual event took place once again at the Banqueting Suite in the Council House in January 2020 (delayed from December 2019 due to the General Election). Here you can see West Midlands Metro tram 20 passing the statue of Queen Victoria.

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Town Hall Tram Stop opened in December 2019 and there was now regular tram services to Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square. Meanwhile some of the paving around Victoria Square was complete, but was a lot left to do. This is unique with a blue tram going past the statue.

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In early February 2020, I was walking around Paradise Circus Queensway, when I saw this view towards Victoria Square House down what used to be Congreve Passage, and would could be Congreve Street again in the future.

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Zooming in through the gate, I got this view of the Queen Victoria statue between Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery / The Council House and Victoria Square House. The shiny new Birmingham New Street Station is just about visible between the two Victorian buildings. Hopefully one day in the future it will be possible to walk from this direction into Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square. It's been blocked off since 2015.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

About 5 days later in Victoria Square, and the new steps with rails, which was completed by the end of 2019, when Town Hall Tram Stop opened. A safer way to head up to the statue of Queen Victoria. This was my last close up photo of the statue before the pandemic / lockdown was declared in late March 2020. I have got one photo of the Council House from early March 2020, but it's not directly at the statue.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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02 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The British Armed Forces over the years in Victoria Square

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Over the years, I have seen the British Armed Forces (RAF, Royal Navy or British Army) in Victoria Square for a variety of reasons. For recruitment, for Armed Forces Day, or even for the 100th Anniversary of the forming of the RAF. Click the post below for a gallery of photos. Including various military vehicles that were in the square at the time.

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The British Armed Forces over the years in Victoria Square





Over the years, I have seen the British Armed Forces (RAF, Royal Navy or British Army) in Victoria Square for a variety of reasons. For recruitment, for Armed Forces Day, or even for the 100th Anniversary of the forming of the RAF. Click the post below for a gallery of photos. Including various military vehicles that were in the square at the time.


2011

ABF The Soldiers Charity

This was on the 9th April 2011. The Lord Mayor's Big Curry was also held in Victoria Square this day.

Army Band.

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JCB

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Rapier - a surface-to-air-missle for the British Army and Royal Air Force.

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Lord Mayor's Big Curry.

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Armed Forces Day

This was held on the 25th June 2011 in Victoria Square.

Army ambulance.

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BBC WM.

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Royal Air Force simulator ride.

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Iron:Man observes the RAF Reserves.

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The Royal Navy.

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2014

Join the Army

Army recruitment drive on the 18th January 2014 in Victoria Square.

Army excavator.

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The Royal Monmouthshre Royal Engineers (Militia).

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Land Rover Defender for the Army. Mobile base of operations.

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Toyota Hilux with the army recruitment.

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2018

RAF 100

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918 over the August Bank Holiday weekend from the 25th to the 27th August 2018. Although you could see the planes here before it opened on the 24th August 2018.

Typhoon Full Scale Replica.

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Supermarine Spitfire Mk1A.

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RAF Charity and the Red Arrows (sadly the weather was not good enough that weekend for a Red Arrows flypast).

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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40 passion points
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27 Apr 2020 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Austin Seven's in Victoria Square (April 2012)

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After I left the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on the 22nd April 2012, I walked into Victoria Square and saw all of these vintage Austin cars. Most of them were Austin Seven's parked in front of the Council House. I think it was for something at the time called Drive It Day Birmingham. This reminds me of a recent car rally at Kings Heath Village Square in late August 2019.

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Austin Seven's in Victoria Square (April 2012)





After I left the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on the 22nd April 2012, I walked into Victoria Square and saw all of these vintage Austin cars. Most of them were Austin Seven's parked in front of the Council House. I think it was for something at the time called Drive It Day Birmingham. This reminds me of a recent car rally at Kings Heath Village Square in late August 2019.


There has been many events that took place in Victoria Square, Birmingham over the years, so probably too many to put into one post (have more than 500 plus photos in my archive).

On the 22nd April 2012, I had just visited the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery again (taking more photos once I knew that it was OK as long as you don't use flash), and left via the Chamberlain Square entrance and headed into Victoria Square. At the time you could use the Great Charles Street Queensway entrance to the museum, and on Sunday's they used to open at 12:30pm (but that's for another post in the BM & AG project).

I saw all of these vintage Austin motors parked in front of the Council House. Many of them may have been Austin Seven's. Some of these might have been Morris or Riley cars.

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was Drive It Day Birmingham in Victoria Square. So many classic Austin's to see, and for once you didn't have to see them in Thinktank or at the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre (although I have seen old cars in the museum and in storage).

Google Lens for the car at the front is coming up as an Austin Ten. (On Wikipedia showing as an Austin Ten Lichfield).

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One of them was labelled "Donaldson's Fish & Game Salesman Kings Lynn".

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Not all of them were Austin Seven's. According to Google Lens, this is an BSA Ten.

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is either a Riley car or a type of Austin Seven. The roof was down.

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is an Austin Cambridge A55 Mark II. There is now a pub at the Longbridge Town Centre called The Cambridge.

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was some young people in Army uniforms and yellow high vis jackets around at the time.

dndimg alt="Austin Seven's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Sevens Victoria Square (April 2012) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

For my post on Sir Herbert Austin follow this link: Herbert Austin: making cars at Longbridge and the Austin Village. It features some more Austin cars that I've seen in museums over the years.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at more than 1,120 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

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27 Jan 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Victoria Square almost empty over the past decade

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Apart from when major events such as the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is there, Victoria Square is empty. On certain Bank Holiday's, the square can look empty and deserted. There has been changes in recent years with the building of the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square (which is now open and more or less complete). So there is new paving and steps. It looks good.

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Victoria Square almost empty over the past decade





Apart from when major events such as the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is there, Victoria Square is empty. On certain Bank Holiday's, the square can look empty and deserted. There has been changes in recent years with the building of the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square (which is now open and more or less complete). So there is new paving and steps. It looks good.


Victoria Square

The square was formerly known as the Council House Square and was renamed on the 10th January 1901 to honour Queen Victoria who died just 12 days later. The marble statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled at the time and was designed by Thomas Brock, it was later cast in bronze by William Bloye in 1951. Other statues used to be in the square, such as the statue of King Edward VII which later moved to Highgate Park in 1951, but it was restored in 2010 and moved outside of Baskerville House in Centenary Square. The statue of Robert Peel moved to Calthorpe Park, but is now outside of Tally Ho! in Edgbaston on the Pershore Road (now the training HQ of the West Midlands Police). The Joseph Priestley statue was moved to Chamberlain Square, but it moved to storage in 2016. The George Dawson statue was moved to Edmund Street, but is now at the Birmingham Museum Collections Centre.

The most recent redevelopment of Victoria Square took place between 1992 and 1994. The River also known by Brummie's at the Floozie in the Jacuzzi, by Dhruva Mistry was unveiled in 1993. Antony Gormley's Iron: Man was also unveiled in 1993, but has been in storage since 2017 (due to the construction of the Westside Metro extension).

The Westside Metro extension was built in Victoria Square between 2017 and 2019 from Pinfold Street to Paradise Street, which included a tram stop on Paradise Street next to the Town Hall. This opened to Centenary Square during December 2019.

 

The following photos taken over the last decade or so. The square almost empty.

Victoria Square during the early May Bank Holiday weekend 2011 (May Day). Union Jack bunting left over from the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate (now the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge). Birmingham Central Library was still there at the time (it would close in 2013 and get demolished in 2016). Seen between the Town Hall and Council House. This was from the New Street end of Victoria Square.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View towards the Town Hall. Was plenty of bollards here at the time. The pair of red phone boxes near Victoria Square House and Pinfold Street had yet to be removed, as was all those trees.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was during the snow of the middle of January 2013. Christmas tree still on the right. This was from the New Street end of the square.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A wet afternoon in Victoria Square on New Year's Day 2017 (1st January 2017). Raining in the morning, and the square still looked wet and empty when I passed through it. The square is always like this, days after the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market packs up and returns to Germany.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

More snow in Victoria Square, but during March 2018. Some Council workers were laying salt grit in the square. It was around this period that the World Indoor Athletics Championships were being held over at Arena Birmingham. So was direction signs to the Arena. This view towards the Town Hall with the Council House to the right. By this point, construction of the Westside Metro extension was well under way, and the Iron:Man was now in storage.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One year on in March 2019, and I passed through Victoria Square during a hail storm. Saw white hail stones coming down. This view towards Victoria Square House. Was already new paving around the statue of Queen Victoria, which was done with the Metro extension.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading down the steps towards New Street, as the hail was getting heavier. The Metro extension behind fences, but you could still get to the pavement on Pinfold Street.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A complete contrast a month later! A stunning blue sky in Victoria Square during April 2019. It was very hot for that time of the year. This photo was taken 10 years to the day when I first started taking photos of Birmingham, including in Victoria Square. Council House on the left, the statue of Queen Victoria, with new paving, to the right.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Boxing Day during late December 2019. And this was several days after the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market had closed (again) and been dismantled. I approached the square this time from Hill Street. Here you can see the newly complete paving and steps that was built as part of the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square. View towards Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Council House. You can also see the core of 103 Colmore Row.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

New Year's Day 2020 and heading up to Victoria Square on the very first day of January 2020 from New Street. Quite a contrast from my earlier photos, as the tram tracks curves around to the left from Pinfold Street towards Town Hall Tram Stop on Paradise Street. Most of the bollards to the right have survived. Was temporary tarmac to the left, where during the BFCM, there was security barriers. Another new view is to Paradise Birmingham with Two and One Chamberlain Square. Also compared to the earlier view, the Floozie is now in a flowerbed instead of a cascading fountain (although that could get repaired again in the future).

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square almost empty (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I originally created this post during early January 2020. So adding one more photo taken at the Council House on the 14th January 2020. Works on the Metro extension have resumed (finishing touches around Victoria Square). Would assume the Iron:Man will be installed in the area to the right near the Town Hall.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square Council House (14012020).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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53 passion points
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10 Nov 2019 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

Birmingham, the Frankfurt Christmas Market - November 2019

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I went down to the edge of the Frankfurt Chrismas Market, a bit too intense for me to venture inside on the first weekend but I got some more magical scenes of this fantastic attraction in Victoria Square.

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Birmingham, the Frankfurt Christmas Market - November 2019





I went down to the edge of the Frankfurt Chrismas Market, a bit too intense for me to venture inside on the first weekend but I got some more magical scenes of this fantastic attraction in Victoria Square.


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Photos by Daniel Sturley

More of the Frankfurt Christmas Market...

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80 passion points
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03 Nov 2019 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market 2019

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The Frankfurt Christmas Market is setting up in Victoria Square, here's a sneak peek at some of the magical scenes to be found once open soon.

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The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market 2019





The Frankfurt Christmas Market is setting up in Victoria Square, here's a sneak peek at some of the magical scenes to be found once open soon.


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Photos by Daniel Sturley

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63 passion points
History & heritage
30 May 2019 - Your Place Your Space
Did you know?

A black labrador called Ebony and why Victoria Square is such a historic gem of Birmingham!

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Ebony was a black labrador who worked alongside her owner Larry Bae, a stonemason from Harborne. Ebony could be seen wearing a high vis during the revamping of Victoria Square during 1992-93. This plaque is in memory of Ebony.

Take our post for more about Birmingham's fascinating Victoria Square.

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A black labrador called Ebony and why Victoria Square is such a historic gem of Birmingham!





Ebony was a black labrador who worked alongside her owner Larry Bae, a stonemason from Harborne. Ebony could be seen wearing a high vis during the revamping of Victoria Square during 1992-93. This plaque is in memory of Ebony.

Take our post for more about Birmingham's fascinating Victoria Square.


The original Victoria statue by Thomas Brock was erected in 1901 as part of the opening of Victoria Square, and was made of marble. Queen Victoria died 12 days later. The statue was recast in 1951 by William Bloye in bronze. The latest square, opened in 1994 by Diana, Princess of Wales has as its main feature an amazing water feature ‘The River’ by Dhruva Mistry which includes the famous ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’.

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Photo by Daniel Sturley

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Photo by Pat Taylor

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Photo by Daniel Sturley

Surrounded by 21st Century construction Queen Victoria surveys the scene.         

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Photo by Daniel Sturley

The magnificent Birmingham Council House - Victoria Square (October 2018). Grade II* listed. Built 1874-79 from a design by H R Yeoville Thomason.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Council House Victoria Square (October 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Did you know?  The Council House is a Grade II* listed building and has its own postcode.  The open space which is now Victoria Square (containing a water feature and steps) was once occupied by Christ Church (built 1805–13, demolished 1899 to be replaced by shops and offices – the Christ Church buildings, themselves demolished 1970).

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Photo by  Fay Loewy

The fountain, which is actually named The River but dubbed the 'Floozie' by locals, however, due to leaks and costly repairs, it resulted in the fountain being turned off in 2013 and then transformed into an elaborate flower display two years after.

 

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Photo by Daniel Sturley

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Photo by Damien Walmsley

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Photo by Karl Newton

Victoria Square  is often seen as the most central point of the city, where people can get together to celebrate, share and showcase. Below are a few events that have taken place over the years and continue to do so, but there are many more including the Frankfurt German Market, which began in Victoria Square in 2001, and still takes place every year.

Birmingham Pride 2017

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Photo by Daniel Surley

Commonwealth games hand-over April 2018

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Photo by Elliott Brown

Remembrance Sunday (this photo from November 2017)

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Photo by Elliott Brown

The Chelsea Flower Show - Birmingham Entry July 2018

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Photo by Daniel Sturley

Velo (May 2019)

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Photo by Elliott Brown

Throughout all of the regeneration around Victoria square over the years, Queen Victoria still watches over.  Below are the statues of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert, held in the magnificent Birmingham Council House.

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Photo by Elliott Brown

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