Happy New Year! As 2025 finally ‘dawns’ with a blast of Arctic weather, Westside has rarely looked better as you can see in our special ‘breakfast of champions’ video.
Storm Darragh in early December was followed by a mild but foggy festive period, a great New Year’s Day washout and then snow during the first weekend of January. The weather has finally settled down with the start of a series of sun-kissed golden mornings and temperatures plunging so low (-3C) that the canal waters have started to freeze over.
that hasn’t stopped workers from returning early in the day to get on with the post-festive season routine of daily life. Westside is, of course, primarily a business and nighttime economy destination with the city’s best choice of pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs for night owls to enjoy.
But, even before the sun has come up at this time of the year, you will find buses and trams ferrying key workers up with the larks along Broad Street. Other locals are running, cycling and walking for fun or to work as well as starting the day by visiting local cafes like Costa next to the Utilita Arena and Caffè Nero (Brindleyplace, both open from 7am). Early bird Broad Street pubs like the Wetherspoon Figure of Eight also open at 8am and The Brasshouse at 9am.
Some though, are taking it easy as their way of life befits. Of the narrowboats moored along the canals, only one vessel was looking as if the residents were up, thanks to steam rising from its onboard flue.
The unsung heroes of the Westside BID area include one worker whose job is it to smooth the gravel over on a regular basis in the showpiece Oozells Square heartland of Brindleyplace.
Our video also shows a chef already hard at work in his whites deep in the basement of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, as well as workers inside Rudy’s Pizza getting the restaurant ready for another busy day ahead. And orange-clad binmen were racing around emptying bins to keep warm in the freezing temperatures.
The whole area on the morning of Thursday, January 9 was spick and span with no signs of any litter across the Westside BID area, which is regularly patrolled by a dedicated team of street wardens.
One of the oddest sights on the canal between Symphony Court and Legoland Discovery Centre was a small fish lying dead on top of the frozen canal water. Mind how you go!
PS: The weather forecast for Sunday, January 12 is for lots of lovely winter sunshine – an ideal time to hit Westside in search of a bracing walk followed by a hearty brunch or pub roast. See our top tips on the best deals.
Pictures and video by Graham Young.
ENDS
Lovely shots. Pays to be an early bird!
Nice to see gravel being raked.