Birmingham Register Office has been registering the city’s births, deaths and marriages since it was made a legal requirement early in the 19th century.
And despite the new national lockdown, the office for what are colloquially known as ‘hatches, matches and dispatches’ remains open for the same essential services it has provided for almost 200 years.
In the second of our #WestsideStillWorking series, we focus on Birmingham Register Office, which opened in Holliday Street in 2006, having relocated from Broad Street.
A spokesperson said the office was open to the public from 9am to 4pm daily for registering births and for receiving notices of marriages and civil partnerships.
However, for details on how to commence the death registration process, members of the public should visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20210/deaths/386/register_a_death.
The spokesperson said: “Due to COVID-19 restrictions there is a considerable backlog of birth registrations and we will be prioritising registrations in date order of birth.”
Birth registrations, which are required within 42 days, must be by appointment only, with people first having to request an appointment by completing a form at www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20209/births/741/register_a_birth.
If registration is urgent, people can email RORegistrations@birmingham.gov.uk
The register office says it can only admit babies and children by prior arrangement via email. Anyone who simply turn ups without having done so will be turned away. Face coverings are also compulsory.
Certificates for completed registrations for birth, death, marriage and civil partnership can be ordered here: www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50038/certificates.
Birmingham Register Office can be contacted by phoning 0121 675 1000, by email to register.office@birmingham.gov.uk or via a contact form at www.birmingham.gov.uk/forms/form/152/en/register_office_-_contact_us.
Other Westside businesses still operating during lockdown include numerous food and drink outlets offering takeaways and deliveries. These include venues at the following locations:
- Brindley Place – Cafe Nero, Costa Coffee and Pret A Manger.
- Broadway Plaza – Dixy Chicken, Domino’s Pizza and I-Krave.
- Broad Street – Del Villaggio, Fab Eats, Food Republic, Pitstop, Nando’s, Pushkars and Zaitoon.
- Elsewhere – Costa Coffee within Utilita Arena, Bridge Street Cafe, and Waterfront Deli in Holliday Street.
Andrew Shipley, restaurant manager at Del Villaggio, said: “Del Villaggio is relying heavily on the use of people ordering takeaways and collections throughout this second lockdown.
“We use all three major delivery services; JustEat, Deliveroo and UberEats. On all these sites we have six of our own meal deals that range from single deals to family meal deals, with takeaways available from 12noon to 10pm.”
He added: “To help restrict contact with the drivers throughout the lockdown, we have put tables in front of the door and put the orders on the table for them to stop them walking through the restaurant.
“We also have signs on both of our doors stating that the drivers must wear facemasks before entering our building.”
Westside BID general manager Mike Olley said: “These are challenging times, but I’m really pleased that so many of our venues are still working during lockdown.”
By Tony Collins.
