Birmingham's Fallout Clothing Faces New Demolition Threat After Oasis Market Closure
Fallout Clothing, a beloved Birmingham alternative fashion retailer that has been serving the city since 1996, is confronting fresh demolition worries just months after settling into its new home. The business, which survived the closure of Oasis Market "by the skin of its teeth," now faces potential displacement again due to a pre-application request that could see its Martineau Place location razed.
From Oasis Market to Martineau Place
It has been nearly a year since Oasis Market closed after 54 years at The Square in Dale End, forcing stallholders to scramble for new locations. Fallout Clothing, one of the longest-standing vendors, lost its pitch when Hammerson shut The Square, also known as Priory Square, in March 2025. The retailer, known for selling alternative fashion and official band merchandise, initially found a temporary home inside the heavy metal pub Scruffy Murphys, coinciding with Black Sabbath's final gig.
Following that, Fallout sought a permanent location and moved into its first standalone bricks-and-mortar shop at Unit 18 Martineau Place in November. However, just three months later, news broke that an investment firm has submitted plans to demolish the shopping centre.
Pre-Application Request Sparks Concern
Henley Investment Management Limited and Sixth Street submitted a pre-application request to Birmingham City Council last week, outlining plans to knock down Martineau Place to make way for a residential tower building that could potentially be the tallest in Birmingham. If approved, this would result in the demolition of all establishments in the centre, including Fallout Clothing's new home.
Manager Brad Cureton expressed the difficulties faced by independent businesses, stating, "It's insane how hard it is to show people that we're here and we exist, social media only gets us so far." He described finding the Martineau Place unit as a "stroke of luck," especially being next door to horror-themed cafe bar Merlin's, which serves Birmingham's alternative community.
Community Support and Future Uncertainty
Brad added, "Now it's just a massive kick in the balls that we've not only just about survived the closure of the Oasis by the skin of our teeth, Martineau is threatened. Tallest building? Seriously? Not one person has asked for that and we definitely do not need it, completely ridiculous." The business first learned about the pre-application through media reports, highlighting the sudden nature of the threat.
Other former Oasis Market traders, such as Ignite Records, Game HQ, Dolly Rockers Piercing, Divine Ink (now Empire Parlour), and vintage shops, have been supporting each other through the transition, continuing to trade in new locations, pop-ups, and online. Fallout Clothing remains at Unit 18 Martineau Place, B2 4UW, just over the road from the former Oasis Market, but its future is now uncertain as the city awaits a decision on the demolition plans.
