PRESS RELEASE
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON EVENING CLOSURE OF ST NICOLAS PLACE
Due to ongoing financial problems, St Nicolas Place will no longer be open in the evenings for community use from Friday 3rd April. No further bookings will be taken and existing groups are seeking alternative venues. The building will remain open during the day from 9am -4pm and daytime community users will continue as normal. We are sorry for any disruption this causes and if the financial situation should change in the future we will keep all interested parties informed.
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A key part of Birmingham’s Tudor heritage, the building known as St Nicolas Place, Kings Norton (formerly, The Saracen’s Head) is seeking a new proprietor to secure its future as an architectural gem and a well-used commercial and community enterprise.
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The building began life as a Tudor Merchant’s House and went through various stages until in 1930 when the then custodians, Mitchells and Butler Brewery, transferred ownership to the Parish of St Nicolas Church, Kings Norton, who are the current custodians.
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The church’s role in the survival of the complex of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings has been utterly vital. In early 2004 St Nicolas Place and the Old Grammar School buildings won the prestigious national BBC2 ‘Restoration’ television series competition. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Nicolas Kings Norton worked closely with the community to provide a sustainable future for the historic buildings of Kings Norton, by conserving and enhancing the buildings, making their heritage available to as wide an audience as possible. The restored buildings have offered a broad variety of community services, events and programmes, combined with education, tourism and commercial usage.
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After 90 years of careful stewardship of St Nicolas Place, the PCC have to acknowledge they are unable to sustain the levels of resource required to maintain St Nicolas Place and feel that a new custodian would be appropriate at this stage, to take the building into its next chapter.
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The PCC have found it challenging to maintain a high level of conservation for all the Historic buildings in their care. St Nicolas’ church, the 900 year old Grade 1 listed church building, has to have major works carried out to its roof and spire within the next 12 months, to safeguard its future: this project alone will cost the PCC in excess of £300k. In addition, the parish council have made provision for the continuing preservation of the other St Nicolas historic properties, including The Old Grammar School, which has been part of the St Nicolas' Church story for over 500 years.
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Although it is with heavy heart that a new proprietor is now sought, the PCC have taken extensive professional advice and conscientiously discerned this as the best way forward to safe guard the fabric of St Nicolas building for future generations.
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The PCC believe this is a great opportunity for another company or organisation as it is a unique property with shop and café premises and has excellent event facilities for local groups or more commercial purposes.
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The successful candidate will bring new energy and investment, alongside a strong passion to secure the long-term future of this much loved and well used building.
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For further information:
Regarding the reasons for the PCCs decision:
Contact: The Communications Team at Church of England Birmingham:
For expressions of interest in the building:
Contact: Ian Mercer Email: DDI: 0121 212 7662
Paul Blennerhassett: Email:
DDI: 0121 212 7688
Rooms Available
Saint Nicolas' Place boasts five beautifully restored timber-framed Tudor rooms and two modern halls that can be laid out in any configuration you require.
Large rooms for plenary sessions and smaller spaces in between make for a totally flexible meeting venue in a lovely, tranquil environment.
Buffet refreshments can be served in rooms or your delegates can enjoy a gourmet meal served in a beautiful 15th century timbered hall.
Weddings
​Saint Nicolas' Place is licensed for civil ceremonies and is run by a small friendly team who truly love what they do and will go the extra mile to ensure you have the perfect day.
We offer the highest standard in bespoke weddings and civil ceremonies in the Kings Norton area.
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A stunning old Tudor hall and beautiful two-storey medieval Grammar School offer unique surroundings for your special day.
What's On
Throughout the week we have a lot of events from morning to evening.
As Saint Nicolas' Place has many different styled rooms, we can hold almost any event you can think of!
From yoga to arts & crafts, there are many interesting things which you can join today.