Musical protest over plans for telecoms pole on Broad Street.
A chorus of protesters is singing the blues at plans to erect a twenty metre telecoms pole and four cabinets in front of a grade two listed Birmingham pub.
Birmingham record company boss Jim Simpson and his blues band The Whiskey Brothers (pictured) led the protest with a specially commissioned song outside the Brasshouse pub today.
The small band of protesters were opposing plans by 3G and EE to erect four telecoms cabinets on the Broad Street site – right by the landmark Black Sabbath metal bench.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID said: “In excess of two million tourists visit this spot every year and so the idea is to send the message that this particular application is hitting the wrong note.
“We all love our smart phones but we’re just asking that these companies are mindful about where they put their boxes.”
Two further planning applications have been submitted for telecoms equipment to be installed at Alpha Tower and Hampton by Hilton in Broad Street.
“I applaud and support these applications,” added Mr Olley. “But we have put in a formal protest for the one at the Brasshouse because it will be be an eyesore. The musical protest is our light-hearted way of emphasising a serious point.
“We hope the planners will listen to our concerns and come to a solution that puts them back in harmony with the local community.”
Jim Simpson said: “The Brasshouse is a fantastic looking building so when we heard that there were going to be four cabinets and a giant pole right outside the front door we had to object in the best way we know how. We hope our song strikes a chord with the public and gets the result we all want.”
