The Methodist Central Hall – Birmingham – July 2018

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

mockney reject

Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Messages
339
Reaction score
1,946
The History


Methodist central halls were grand buildings that used to attract thousands of people when the temperance movement was at its strongest. The temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence (teetotalism), leaders emphasizing the sinfulness of drinking as well as the evil effects on personality, family life. Ironically over the years many have been sold off, with some now used as bars and nightclubs.

The Methodist Central Hall, Located in Corporation Street, Birmingham, England, is a three storey red brick and terracotta Grade II* listed building with a distinctive tower at the northern end of Corporation Street, opposite the Victoria Law Courts. It is located within the Steelhouse Conservation Area.

The terracotta was manufactured by the renowned firm of Gibbs and Canning Limited of Tamworth, which also produced decorative works for 179-203 Corporation Street and the interior of the Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham along with the Natural History Museum in London.

The street level has twelve bays of shops (four with their original fronts). The building also runs along Ryder Street and has more original shop fronts.


It was built 1903-4 by architects Ewan Harper & James A. Harper at a cost of £96,165.

Its main hall seats 2,000 and it has over thirty other rooms including three school halls.

In 1991, the Methodist Church was converted into a nightclub; however, this venture closed in 2002.

The hall was re-opened on 14 September 2007 as the 'Que club.' The opening night was hosted by 'Drop Beats Not Bombs'. On re-opening the club has seen extensive repairs and improvements to its decor, and regularly hosted events such as Atomic Jam and Fantasia.

The site has remained empty since 2015 and has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years and has had vegetation growing out of the upper floors, prompting Historic England to add it to its 'Heritage at Risk’ register.

The building has been the subject of proposals to be converted into an office building. The first of such was submitted in 2001, only to be withdrawn. Planning applications to convert the building into apartments have also been rejected by Birmingham City Council on the basis that original internal features would be destroyed. However, the council has since given planning consent to a proposal to convert the building into apartments. It is to be referred to the Local Government Office.

In 2017 it was reported that the Methodists Central hall is set to be transformed into a new £35 million hotel and leisure quarter with a rooftop bar and restaurant.

London-based property investor Ciel Capital has unveiled plans to transform the Grade II*-listed Methodist Central Hall into a leisure complex with a hotel, apart-hotel and a mix of retail and food units.



The Explore


I’ve had my eye on the Methodist Central Hall for a while now, but just never found the time to actually have a look. If I’m honest I expected it to be overly secure due to being located right opposite the huge town centre Magistrates court.

So I happened to be up in the glorious city of Birmingham visiting @Clebby and this building came up in conversation. So Myself, Clebby and a non-member found ourselves paying the extortionate £5.50 an hour parking rates and going for a walk around the hall.

Various options on entry were discussed, although climbing up a drain pipe and walking along the ledge around the building seemed the less popular choice lol. Although if push came to shove I was up for it…

43524250712_4e08dea13a_b.jpg


43524247392_dd50d16a1a_b.jpg


43570777251_fe7cd05b72_b.jpg


28683655947_3f55713793_b.jpg


28683653997_31b6dccfdf_b.jpg


42853137864_fdc027522d_b.jpg


42665724485_2b8706cc52_b.jpg


However a more suitable entry point was found and we headed for the tower.

42665722935_b44db1a7e7_b.jpg


43570758041_738a450680_b.jpg


43570740461_f3de5ffb46_b.jpg


Nice courthouse lol

43570734451_9f43a63ffe_b.jpg


The main staircase was pretty nice and gave an idea of how grand this place once was.

42665700585_f3a9c0597c_b.jpg


42665698445_6bda3fb297_b.jpg


43570712321_d28f73078a_b.jpg


42665694235_b86d4a57e3_b.jpg


Although were soon wandering around the various corridors and into various rooms that had been converted to tacky nightclubs. Almost a let down.

43570707381_08e87a59a9_b.jpg


28683595387_1efdf036fe_b.jpg


43570696781_fd3fdae35a_b.jpg


42665675765_36ce376ab6_b.jpg


43570686301_9d7f0ba5a7_b.jpg


29700075588_00f4501939_b.jpg


41762887120_6f779325cc_b.jpg


42853044404_f493dbf7ce_b.jpg


42853026074_1c3207fe1d_b.jpg


28683490797_f37de1f8d5_b.jpg


42852998764_ea0102c2b5_b.jpg


Then we found this lovely passage way

29699980758_a8fb96f1da_b.jpg


29699967388_076c1e0edb_b.jpg


And then spotted this view through the door

28683447157_06337f4e10_b.jpg


And found this

43570583481_c429df4db3_b.jpg


We fell silent as we took in the epic of the main hall.

From the stairs to the chairs to the organ this place was ace.

41762901170_e7d0a71d8d_b.jpg


43570566361_98cea34362_b.jpg


43524088722_a217161a36_b.jpg


41762784220_72279d798f_b.jpg


43570545101_f13b0dc4ed_b.jpg


42665511485_c717342c82_b.jpg



The organ being the highlight and like something from Hogwarts it was out of this world.

43570491461_050753d215_b.jpg


42665494305_c369d056ae_b.jpg


42665479145_3cd0621dee_b.jpg


43524040822_fa8d2343d8_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top