Business News
Property market is still booming
Birmingham’s resilient residential property market is showing no sign of slowing despite the economic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s according to St Joseph, a leading developer
which as established its HQ in the city and is set to deliver more than 1,000 new homes in the Gun Quarter and Eastside areas. Charlie Joseph, sales director at St Joseph, believes
Birmingham will outperform the rest of the UK’s property market over the next five years, with house prices predicted to rise 24 per cent by 2025 and rental value growth increasing by 13 per cent. HS2 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games are key
driving forces behind the city’s property growth, along with the need for more than 30,000 new homes to address a housing shortfall. Charlie said: “While the Covid-19 pandemic has
caused significant economic disruption, the UK’s property market is performing strongly with house prices rising at their fastest rate for five years in October. “Birmingham, in particular, is set to outperform
the rest of the UK’s property market over the next five years, according to the latest UK residential forecast by property consultancy JLL. “At St Joseph, we recognise Birmingham’s
potential, establishing our HQ in the city in 2018. We have launched two regeneration projects so far, located in the Gun Quarter and Eastside, which in total will deliver over 1,000 quality new homes in the city. “Birmingham’s appetite for a new standard of residential living is self-evident. Our landmark
Birmingham set to out perform UK: Charlie Joseph
Covid cuts cancer referrals in half
Urgent referrals for urological cancers have dropped by half in England (49.5 per cent) compared to the same period last year as the Covid-19 pandemic made it harder for men to visit their doctor, according to statistics from Prostate Cancer UK. With urgent referrals at their
lowest levels in 10 years, the charity estimates that there have been 27,000 fewer patients referred than expected since the UK lockdown period began in March this year. This puts as many as 3,500 men
neighbourhood, Snow Hill Wharf, was one of the first projects in the Gun Quarter and has been met with strong demand, with over half of apartments already sold ahead of first completions in early 2021. “The canal side community follows the
regeneration of a former 1.87-acre goods yard. When complete, it will feature 420 canal-side apartments spread across five uniquely styled buildings, including the 21-storey The Regent. “The Gun Quarter is now an established residential
hotspot in Birmingham. The latest Rightmove data reveals the area’s sold prices increasing 26 per cent on the previous year. “St Joseph is confident in the region’s future
growth. The resilient property market shows that people see the Midlands and Birmingham as a prime location for living, doing business and investing. “We are committed to building our presence here
and raising the bar for residential development.” • More property news – see Page 70
Film explores life of women in lockdown
An award-winning Birmingham- based theatre company and charity has released a short film about women during lockdown. The film, entitled ‘Women in
Lockdown’, highlights the experiences of and impact on women during this unique period of time. The female-led Women &
Theatre’s YouTube channel is showing the film. It explores the lives of women across Birmingham and the Black Country, covering the period from early March to 30 June 2020. ‘Women in Lockdown’, which is
free to watch, features an ensemble community cast of local women and combines varied footage from Zoom sessions, mobile phones and some socially-
distanced filmed sequences, accompanied by an engaging score of commissioned new music. Janice Connolly, W&T’s artistic
director, said: “This is a unique moment in history and we feel it’s important that the lives of ordinary women are shared and represented. Women & Theatre remain committed as always to making deep work about things that matter.” The Women in Lockdown artistic
team includes Janice Connolly and Jo Gleave, composer Nicola McAteer, filmmaker Sima Gonsai and D/deaf creative practitioner Maral Mamaghani. The film is performed by a community cast of over 40 women and for many it is their first performance piece.
with higher-risk cancers at risk of being diagnosed too late to be cured unless referrals go back up to pre-pandemic levels. The leading men’s health
charity is encouraging all men at increased risk of prostate cancer to contact their GP to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a PSA blood test, which can give them an indication of any problems with their prostate. They say this includes men over
50, particularly black men, and those with a family history of the disease. As most men do not experience any symptoms until the disease has spread and become incurable, it is critical that men with these risk factors take action.
Anyone with concerns about the disease can speak to a Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurse on 0800 074 8383.
Art project helps to give refugees a voice
Thirty girls and women representing over 20 nations have taken part in an ARTconnects project, supported by MAC in Birmingham, giving them a voice to express themselves creatively during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Isolation, flashbacks of war,
suffering in silence, resilience and solidarity - they are the messages featured in a new artwork created by refugee women around the world, with UK-based artist and human rights activist, Salma Zulfiqar. Entitled ‘In Solidarity’ The
Migration Blanket, the new artwork is a continuation of The Migrant Blanket project created by the artist in 2018 with vulnerable women, showing their struggles and hopes and dreams. This
artwork was exhibited during the Venice Biennale in 2019. The digital artwork takes
viewers on a creative migration journey around the world through the eyes of girls and women during these troubled times. Semira, a Bosnian refugee living
in the UK and participant of the online workshops, said: “I felt a global solidarity and reassurance that none of us is not alone in this situation. Regardless of our economic, cultural, racial, religious or social background, we are all in the same boat.” Online events are planned for
global screenings. The online workshops are created in collaboration with MAC, Arts Council UK and in support of The United Nations Refugee Agency.
December 2020/January 2021 CHAMBERLINK 35
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