The Exchange, a public ‘gateway’ for the University of Birmingham based on Westside, is launching a monthly series of free Heritage Tours from 3 February.
Prince George opened the Grade II-listed former Municipal Bank in 1933 to help poor people, but the building was closed for two decades before it was formally reopened as ‘The Exchange’ in October 2021.
The venue at 3 Centenary Square, opposite the Birmingham Library, now has meeting rooms, exhibition spaces and café, with the Arena Central’s public square to the rear.
The site took three years to redevelop after the University of Birmingham purchased a long-term lease from Birmingham City Council in 2018.
From 1976 it had been a branch of the TSB before becoming Lloyds TSB. After closing in 1998, it was only used during the next 20 years for the odd public exhibition or as a drama set – but reopening in 2021 means its new lease of life is already into a fourth year already.
The Exchange’s extended opening hours for 2024 are from 8am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday, with the ground floor public cafe open on the same days from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
When the building was closed, it was used as a set for the movie Monochrome as well as for several TV series including Line of Duty, Hustle, Survivors and Toast.
To learn more about the building’s ‘hidden history and fascinating stories’ you can join one of its hour-long Heritage Tours.
These are all free, but booking is essential to secure your place on the following Saturdays – 3 February, 2 March or 16 April(from 11am or 1pm).
The main banking hall is the meeting place for the start of the tours. You can book your slot online via this link:
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/the-exchange/a-place-to-call-home/heritage-tours.aspx
