Royal family fans unable to get a Westminster Abbey seat to watch King Charles III’s coronation can still commemorate the occasion in style – at a special event on Westside.
A large screen is to be installed in Centenary Square for the King’s coronation on Saturday 6 May when the eyes of the world will be on London.
And to ensure that visitors to Birmingham city centre have a right royal good time, a series of events is taking place in both Centenary Square and neighbouring Victoria Square for the entire weekend of 6 and 7 May.
Centenary Square will screen the entire coronation on the Saturday, but will also host a community stage throughout the weekend with a variety of entertainment taking place, including a number of live bands.
There will also be food and drink stalls, including fully licensed bars and a selection of street food that reflects the diversity of the city, as well as vegetarian and vegan outlets.
For younger visitors, children’s funfair rides will be operating in Centenary Square, together with other activities, throughout the weekend.
Westside Business Improvement District (BID) is helping to deliver the coronation event in partnership with Birmingham City Council, with the support of other BIDs and the Lord Mayor’s Parlour.
Meanwhile, other activities and events will be taking place outside the Council House in Victoria Square.
Gerald Manton, chair of Westside BID, said: “A proposal was put forward a couple of months ago to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in style by putting something on in the centre of Birmingham.
“Westside BID and other BID partners have provided financial support, and the event is being fully backed by the city council.
“We will have two days of events in both Centenary Square and Victoria Square at which the city and local communities can come together.”
Lawrence Barton, whose roles include the deputy lieutenant of the West Midlands and chair of Southside BID in Birmingham, has helped to organise the event.
He said: “I organised something for the city for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year and so approached the council who were excited at the prospect of putting something together for the King’s coronation.”
