After eight years of standing empty and being perceived as derelict, a beloved Birmingham pub is poised for a spectacular comeback that will reshape Digbeth's social scene.
From Boarded-Up Building to Community Hub
The former O'Rourkes establishment on Oxford Street, which has been boarded up since its closure in 2018, will reopen in 2026 as The Diggers Arms. The transformation represents a significant investment in the area's cultural landscape, bringing new life to what many had considered an abandoned property.
Local business owners and community members had frequently questioned the building's future on community forums, with many describing it as derelict. Now, these concerns are being replaced by excitement as detailed plans for the venue's revival have been unveiled.
The Vision Behind The Diggers Arms
The ambitious project is spearheaded by Will Power and Dee Dixon, the entrepreneurs behind neighbourhood favourites Cafe Lovelife and Lab 11. They're joining forces with Tom Shorterz, a musician and the owner of Digbeth Records, to create a multifaceted venue that honours the building's musical heritage while introducing innovative concepts.
In their online announcement, the team shared their challenging journey: "In 2019 we took on a former iconic Digbeth pub. Four months after we got the keys the lockdowns happened. Six years of working our way back, clarifying the vision and perfecting the plan, it's time."
The new establishment will feature:
- Beers, ales and cocktails
- Food offerings
- A roof terrace
- A recording studio
- A vinyl record shop
- Listening sessions and community events
Honouring Musical Heritage with Modern Flair
The venue's concept blends traditional English pub elements with sophisticated audio experiences. The team describes it as "an old school English boozer, crossed with a Japanese Hifi listening bar, born and bred beneath the Digbeth arches."
The building at Oxford Street has significant musical history, having previously operated as The Old Wharf where it hosted punk, indie and metal gigs. It also served as the home of the Go Club until that chapter closed in 2012.
The reopening will mark the return and new home for Digbeth Records, further cementing the venue's status as a destination for music lovers. The combination of pub, vinyl bar and record shop creates a unique offering that reflects the team's deep connections to the area and passion for music, food and social spaces.
Local businesses and Birmingham residents have enthusiastically welcomed the announcement. Music historian and campaigner Jez Collins expressed his delight, recalling: "The Old Wharf. Home to me and many a lock-in in the post punk, goth, psychobilly days in the mid- to late-80s. So happy to see this amazing building brought back to life."
The transformation of The Diggers Arms represents another step in Digbeth's ongoing evolution as Birmingham's creative quarter, with the team promising to share their restoration journey as they work toward the 2026 opening.
