A Meeting place for Presidents?
Brindley Place, Birmingham
What was Brindley Place before the redevelopment and today's pleasant sight?
Unloading areas for the raw materials were built on the sides of the canals, these were known as Wharves. The biggest Wharves were built on Paradise Row where Central Television now stands. Another large Wharf was built on the Brindley Place site and became known as Oozells Street Wharf.
The only survivor of canal warehouses is found at Kingston Wharf adjacent to the National Indoor Arena. It is a Grade II listed building that dates from c1820. It has a gabled wagon entrance and canalside loading bay. The building today is home to the Institute of Electrical Engineers and is now known as Austin Court.
Now famous as the place (Malthouse pub) where then President Clinton had a drink during the G8 summit, Brindley Place attracts 100's of people each day with a fine selection of restaurants and pubs.
Submitted by: Peter Gallant, 25 November 2003
