Comments on: Small but significant improvements that the Custard Factory should make..? http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/ Michael Grimes lives in Birmingham (UK). This is his blog about anything that he fancies. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:43:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8787 Michael Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:40:54 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8787 Steven, thanks for commenting. Sorry it took a while to appear here (just me being busy and forgetting to check). I hope that people will take you up on the offer to suggest menu items. Steven, thanks for commenting. Sorry it took a while to appear here (just me being busy and forgetting to check). I hope that people will take you up on the offer to suggest menu items.

]]> By: Bridget http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8778 Bridget Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:31:57 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8778 Even by nightclub standards the toilets are disgusting. CF aren't the only digbeth venue to share this problem either. I really don't enjoy queuing up in a narrow corridor for half an hour, strategically stepping over puddles/wet toilet paper/sick, squeezing into a tiny (occasionally unlit) cubicle  and then having to do some kind of amazing balancing act  squatting over a filthy/non-existant loo seat and holding the door shut at the same time. Then there's never any toilet paper.... Have been in plenty of other clubs elsewhere of the same ilk that manage to keep things much more pleasant, even pristine throughout the evening. Is it really that difficult? Even by nightclub standards the toilets are disgusting. CF aren’t the only digbeth venue to share this problem either. I really don’t enjoy queuing up in a narrow corridor for half an hour, strategically stepping over puddles/wet toilet paper/sick, squeezing into a tiny (occasionally unlit) cubicle  and then having to do some kind of amazing balancing act  squatting over a filthy/non-existant loo seat and holding the door shut at the same time. Then there’s never any toilet paper….
Have been in plenty of other clubs elsewhere of the same ilk that manage to keep things much more pleasant, even pristine throughout the evening. Is it really that difficult?

]]> By: Emma http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8735 Emma Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:36:51 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8735 I can see why Medicine Bar/Factory Club are there and I understand the concept of using these to generate income to support the business. I use to work for an arts organisation in Glasgow that did exactly the same thing. The difference is that they recognised the building has to be maintained. As staff at The Arches (Glasgow) we used to use the nightclub toilets during the daytime as they're the closest to our offices but they were always absolutely pristine. It sounds like such a tiny insignificant thing, and it is in a sense, but I think it's representative of the site as a whole. It's degenerated to a point where it now doesn't serve the purpose it was intended for.   As for generating footfall. We hold an awful lot of meetings off site because the Custard Factory isn't accessible. We arrange a lot of events off site because the Custard Factory isn't accessible. I'm surprised really that the Custard Factory haven't looked more at expanding the rate of return from businesses within its walls, not just outside it. I can see why Medicine Bar/Factory Club are there and I understand the concept of using these to generate income to support the business. I use to work for an arts organisation in Glasgow that did exactly the same thing. The difference is that they recognised the building has to be maintained. As staff at The Arches (Glasgow) we used to use the nightclub toilets during the daytime as they’re the closest to our offices but they were always absolutely pristine. It sounds like such a tiny insignificant thing, and it is in a sense, but I think it’s representative of the site as a whole. It’s degenerated to a point where it now doesn’t serve the purpose it was intended for.
 
As for generating footfall. We hold an awful lot of meetings off site because the Custard Factory isn’t accessible. We arrange a lot of events off site because the Custard Factory isn’t accessible. I’m surprised really that the Custard Factory haven’t looked more at expanding the rate of return from businesses within its walls, not just outside it.

]]> By: Steven http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8713 Steven Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:47:05 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8713 I just like to say sorry to William perrin for his poor chicken burger and anyone else who has had a bad experience in the cf Kitchen My name is Steven and I run Pukka Nosh Catering and took over the CF kitchen back in May. On the menu I tried to keep the prices low and offer value for your money. If anyone who like to suggest any food items they would like to see on the menu please let me know it would be really appreciated This Friday we have an offer on Fresh Beer batter Giant Fish goujons and chips £3.50 If you would like to know more about the chef in the cf Kitchen please have a look at www.pukkanosh.com I just like to say sorry to William perrin for his poor chicken burger and anyone else who has had a bad experience in the cf Kitchen
My name is Steven and I run Pukka Nosh Catering and took over the CF kitchen back in May.
On the menu I tried to keep the prices low and offer value for your money. If anyone who like to suggest any food items they would like to see on the menu please let me know it would be really appreciated
This Friday we have an offer on Fresh Beer batter Giant Fish goujons and chips £3.50

If you would like to know more about the chef in the cf Kitchen please have a look at http://www.pukkanosh.com

]]> By: Anthony http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8679 Anthony Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:16:37 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8679 We are involved in the some of the event spaces at the Custard Factory (Space 2 and Old Library) and with a particular interest in corporate and daytime events. We often struggle to sell the site  and compete in the market on the Custard Factory's profile as a 'creative hub' and on keeping our prices keen. We are in the process of investing around £100,000 in the 2 venues. This includes Space 2 toilets, which have been woefully inadequate since the we took the space on 18 months ago. I can't really discuss specific issues with the site in an open forum but I agree a lot of focus and investment has been in Devonshire House and Fazeley Studios over the past year or so and there has been many changes in senior management of the Custard Factory, which have compounded many issues including maintenance and investment in Scott House. One of our main focuses is on the daytime economy at Custard Factory and we have an exciting project starting at the end of October, which will be announced on Wednesday. This will have a large marketing and communications budget and should attract a lot more visitors to the Custard Factory during the day. We will be faced with all of the issues mentioned above but we are meeting regularly with the Custard Factory to try and address some of these including signage, general cleanliness, facilities and parking. As Pete said there are plans afoot move the focus of the lakeside area away from night time events, but it should be noted, in my opinion that the Medicine Bar / Factory Club has hightened the profile of the Custard Factory and provided income for the site albeit at a cost. I believe that Devonshire House (which is being renamed allegedly) is opening early 2010. Ever the optimist I hope that the opening will firstly add a new buzz to the place that has been missing for a while, mean that investment can resume in Scott House and new shops and cafes on the ground floor will increase the attraction of the site to a critical mass that will lead to a positive loop of more facilities attract more daytime visitors, which will attract more businesses and so on...or perhaps I am just a sanguine fool. We are involved in the some of the event spaces at the Custard Factory (Space 2 and Old Library) and with a particular interest in corporate and daytime events.

We often struggle to sell the site  and compete in the market on the Custard Factory’s profile as a ‘creative hub’ and on keeping our prices keen. We are in the process of investing around £100,000 in the 2 venues. This includes Space 2 toilets, which have been woefully inadequate since the we took the space on 18 months ago.
I can’t really discuss specific issues with the site in an open forum but I agree a lot of focus and investment has been in Devonshire House and Fazeley Studios over the past year or so and there has been many changes in senior management of the Custard Factory, which have compounded many issues including maintenance and investment in Scott House.
One of our main focuses is on the daytime economy at Custard Factory and we have an exciting project starting at the end of October, which will be announced on Wednesday. This will have a large marketing and communications budget and should attract a lot more visitors to the Custard Factory during the day.
We will be faced with all of the issues mentioned above but we are meeting regularly with the Custard Factory to try and address some of these including signage, general cleanliness, facilities and parking.
As Pete said there are plans afoot move the focus of the lakeside area away from night time events, but it should be noted, in my opinion that the Medicine Bar / Factory Club has hightened the profile of the Custard Factory and provided income for the site albeit at a cost.
I believe that Devonshire House (which is being renamed allegedly) is opening early 2010. Ever the optimist I hope that the opening will firstly add a new buzz to the place that has been missing for a while, mean that investment can resume in Scott House and new shops and cafes on the ground floor will increase the attraction of the site to a critical mass that will lead to a positive loop of more facilities attract more daytime visitors, which will attract more businesses and so on…or perhaps I am just a sanguine fool.

]]> By: Dave Harte http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8665 Dave Harte Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:42:33 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8665 @willperrin - I'm not at heart of Digital District project but I know there is a plan to bid for ERDF Priority 3 (Sustainable Urban development) but application at early stage I think. It's likely to be targeted on improvements to digital infrastructure rather than other aspects of on-street infrastructure. This particular ERDF 'package' covers the Eastside area and A34/A41 corridor - Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Springfield, Hall Green, Robin Hood, Tyseley/Greet, Highgate Road, Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, Montgomery Street, Golden Hillock Road, South Yardley, Stechford, Yardley North, Shard End. It's managed by <a href="http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=European-Team%2FPageLayout&cid=1223092718345&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrapper" rel="nofollow">Birmingham's ERDF team</a>. If you want to lobby somone for the kind of infrastructure improvements you suggest then the <a href="http://www.ebns.co.uk/1/team.aspx" rel="nofollow">East Birmingham North Solihull Regeneration Zone people</a> are a good place to start. As they've at the heart of the process of regenerating this area for quite some time I'm surprised they haven't tackled some of these issues before. Maybe they weren't aware of the concerns cited here? @willperrin – I’m not at heart of Digital District project but I know there is a plan to bid for ERDF Priority 3 (Sustainable Urban development) but application at early stage I think. It’s likely to be targeted on improvements to digital infrastructure rather than other aspects of on-street infrastructure.

This particular ERDF ‘package’ covers the Eastside area and A34/A41 corridor – Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Springfield, Hall Green, Robin Hood, Tyseley/Greet, Highgate Road, Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, Montgomery Street, Golden Hillock Road, South Yardley, Stechford, Yardley North, Shard End. It’s managed by Birmingham’s ERDF team.

If you want to lobby somone for the kind of infrastructure improvements you suggest then the East Birmingham North Solihull Regeneration Zone people are a good place to start. As they’ve at the heart of the process of regenerating this area for quite some time I’m surprised they haven’t tackled some of these issues before. Maybe they weren’t aware of the concerns cited here?

]]> By: Nicky Getgood http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8664 Nicky Getgood Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:29:36 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8664 I emailed Bennie Gray about this discussion, who replied almost immediately with: 'good idea lots imminent in the pipeline words on screen within a few days' So I suppose we watch the Custard Factory space for news to come! :-) I emailed Bennie Gray about this discussion, who replied almost immediately with:
‘good idea lots imminent in the pipeline words on screen within a few days’
So I suppose we watch the Custard Factory space for news to come! :-)

]]> By: Jon Bounds http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8662 Jon Bounds Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:26:27 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8662 There's something wrong about car parks that don't allow you to pay _afterwards_ — it's almost like they want you to overpay or get clamped. It's rare more that one of the machines in there is working either. There’s something wrong about car parks that don’t allow you to pay _afterwards_ — it’s almost like they want you to overpay or get clamped. It’s rare more that one of the machines in there is working either.

]]> By: william perrin http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8659 william perrin Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:56:33 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8659 some of the above should be tackled by the council's curious 'digital digbeth' initiative.  I understand that they have some ERDF money which is best spent on physical infrastructure improvements (signs, arches, mobile phone masts, possibly cash machines).  Can Dave Harte enlighten us on how to access this before he leaves? I had a surreal lunch meeting in the Kitchen the other week - i couldn't work out whether is was more Acorn Antiques or Fawlty Towers, the food (chicken burger) seemed to come from a Ramsay kitchen nightmare. some of the above should be tackled by the council’s curious ‘digital digbeth’ initiative.  I understand that they have some ERDF money which is best spent on physical infrastructure improvements (signs, arches, mobile phone masts, possibly cash machines).  Can Dave Harte enlighten us on how to access this before he leaves?

I had a surreal lunch meeting in the Kitchen the other week – i couldn’t work out whether is was more Acorn Antiques or Fawlty Towers, the food (chicken burger) seemed to come from a Ramsay kitchen nightmare.

]]> By: Michael http://citizensheep.com/blog/2009/09/22/small-but-significant-changes-that-the-custard-factory-should-make/comment-page-1/#comment-8641 Michael Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:57:04 +0000 http://citizensheep.com/blog/?p=1948#comment-8641 I'm not sure the Custard Factory even has <em>that</em> now. It certainly feels like a wasteland when I go in at Sunday lunchtime, or during a weekday. Occasionally lost people come in asking for shops that no longer exist or a flea market that's been advertised but doesn't materialise. I agree that a year or so a go the Custard Factory had a bit of charm, but I don't find that any more. I’m not sure the Custard Factory even has that now. It certainly feels like a wasteland when I go in at Sunday lunchtime, or during a weekday. Occasionally lost people come in asking for shops that no longer exist or a flea market that’s been advertised but doesn’t materialise. I agree that a year or so a go the Custard Factory had a bit of charm, but I don’t find that any more.

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