Birmingham City Council has approved the sale of a former day centre for vulnerable adults, with plans to redevelop the site into a new food store. This move is part of a series of property disposals initiated by the cash-strapped local authority, which declared effective bankruptcy in September 2023.
Closure and Controversy of Day Centres
The site in question is the former Harborne Day Centre on West Boulevard. It was one of four such centres controversially closed earlier in 2025 as part of severe budget cuts. The centres provided crucial support, friendship, and skill-building opportunities for adults with learning and physical disabilities, autism, and dementia.
The closures sparked significant public outcry. Resident Jean Cross, in an open letter, warned that "highly-vulnerable people and their carers are going to suffer immensely." She highlighted the detrimental impact on her brother, stating the change would cause distress as he would find new surroundings very hard to cope with.
Under the council's consolidation plan, services and residents were moved to the five remaining day centres across the city, a decision that provoked furious outbursts in meetings last year.
Financial Drivers and Future Plans
The council's decision to sell is explicitly linked to its financial recovery plan. A council report stated the sale would support the local authority's efforts to stabilise its finances. The building has been vacant since the centre's closure, which was prompted by a review of operational costs and capacity at other locations.
Another council document revealed the intended future for the site: "The proposal is to sell the property to a national company who will redevelop the site for a new foodstore." The council noted that while it was under no obligation to proceed and would face no reputational harm if it didn't, the capital premium from the sale would not be realised.
Local ward councillor Jayne Francis said she would welcome job creation but stressed the need for the proposed retail development to be "fully accessible" by public transport.
Broader Context of Council Crisis
The council's financial woes stem from a combination of several critical issues:
- The massive equal pay liability.
- Inadequate budget setting and poor service management.
- Demand-led pressures on services.
- The disastrous implementation of a new IT system.
Labour councillors have also blamed funding cuts during the previous Conservative government. Since the start of 2024, a vast array of council properties and land have been sold to generate essential funds.
Regarding the day centre closures, Councillor Rob Pocock, who oversees the council's transformation, stated last year that the aim was to save costs and fully utilise the remaining centres. He argued the council was developing a "more modern 21st century service," including activities outside day centres, as requested by service users. He asserted that anyone wanting to use a council day centre could still do so and that no staff were made redundant.
