The end of Birmingham's famous Wholesale Markets site is drawing nearer after a programme of demolition works was outlined by Birmingham City Council.
Members of the authority's planning committee are meeting tomorrow and are due to approve the project which will set the ball rolling on one of the UK's largest city centre regeneration schemes.
The site, next to Bullring shopping centre in Pershore Street, is set to house 'Birmingham Smithfield' - a £500 million, 34-acre redevelopment which could eventually comprise around 2,000 new homes and 3.2 million sq ft of floorspace for commercial and cultural uses.
According to a report prepared for the planning committee, demolition work on the majority of the 1970s, "utilitarian" buildings is expected to start in March and last for six months.
Due to the densely built-up nature of the area around the Wholesale Markets, demolition will have to be carried out progressively rather than through explosions.
The buildings to come down include the principal markets building, the meat and fish building, cold store and the warehouses flanking Barford Street.
Smaller buildings within the site to be demolished include cafés, banks and offices together with a waste compactor area.
Following demolition, the site would be cleared and the existing boundary walls retained and some reduced in height.
The Manor House council offices building is to remain operational during and after the demolition works, with a potential for allocated staff parking for up to 150 vehicles retained.
The public house on the corner of Barford Street, formerly the Mercat, and the two multi-storey car parks in Moat Lane and Pershore Street are not included within this demolition programme.
Traders will relocate to a new, purpose-built wholesale markets site at The Hub in Witton which is currently under construction and due for completion by the end of 2016.
