Residents have called for a safer, cleaner and more welcoming Erdington High Street, with a wider range of shops and action to tackle antisocial behaviour, following a survey by local MP Paulette Hamilton.
The survey received 28 responses, with residents sharing their views on the businesses they would like to see, safety concerns and improvements to the appearance of the high street.
Key findings
- Every respondent answered each of the five main questions. The response base is consistently 28.
- Shop variety was a main request. Clothing and footwear, food shops, cafés and restaurants, and familiar everyday or branded retailers recur across answers.
- Safety concerns most often relate to drug and alcohol use, street drinking, loitering and wider antisocial behaviour. Residents also mention theft, harassment, intimidation, traffic and pavement obstruction.
- Many respondents describe the high street as dirty, tired, rundown or unwelcoming. Pavement displays, litter, graffiti, shutters and empty units feature in suggestions for improvement.
- Views are not entirely uniform: a small number give positive or neutral comments about appearance or say they are generally happy with the current shop range.
Question 1
What type of new business would you most like to see open on our high street?
| Theme | What respondents mentioned | Count | Share |
| Food shops and everyday essentials | Butchers, bakers, greengrocers, fishmongers, supermarkets, farm foods and other practical shops | 16 | 57.1% |
| Clothing and footwear | Clothes shops for adults, children and teens; shoe shops; affordable or familiar brands | 13 | 46.4% |
| Cafés, coffee shops and restaurants | Independent cafés, family-friendly food, coffee shops, restaurants and places to sit | 9 | 32.1% |
| Independent, community or specialist retail | Independent, ethical or sustainable businesses, gifts, books, records, flowers, hardware or community-oriented services | 9 | 32.1% |
| Mainstream, discount or named chain retail | Branded or discount shops and named chains | 5 | 17.9% |
| Other or one-off suggestions | Toy shop, vet, charity shops, residential uses and other individual ideas | 5 | 17.9% |
Food shops and everyday essentials were mentioned by 16 respondents (57.1%), while 13 (46.4%) called for more clothing and footwear shops. Cafés, restaurants and independent businesses also featured prominently.
Question 2
What is one thing that would encourage you to spend more time on our high street?
| Theme | What respondents mentioned | Count | Share |
| Safer environment / less antisocial behaviour | Feeling safe; fewer people perceived as intimidating; less drug or alcohol use, street drinking, begging or loitering | 20 | 71.4% |
| Better range of shops | More variety, decent or familiar shops, fewer repetitive premises | 8 | 28.6% |
| Cleanliness and maintenance | Cleaner streets, less litter or graffiti, better upkeep | 5 | 17.9% |
| Visible enforcement or policing | Police presence, patrols or confidence that rules will be enforced | 4 | 14.3% |
| Amenities, events or access | Community activities, toilets, lighting, parking or other amenities | 5 | 17.9% |
20 respondents (71.4%) said a safer environment, with less antisocial behaviour, would encourage them to spend more time on the high street. Drug and alcohol use, street drinking, loitering and intimidation were among the issues raised.
Question 3
What do you think about the appearance of the shops, shopfronts and signs on our high street?
| Theme | What respondents mentioned | Count | Share |
| Negative appearance / poor upkeep | Described as rundown, scruffy, dirty, tatty, dull, dilapidated or uninviting | 23 | 82.1% |
| Pavement clutter and displays | Goods, stands, bins or other items extending into or obstructing the pavement | 7 | 25.0% |
| Litter, graffiti or dirty surroundings | Litter, graffiti, poor cleaning or neglected nearby public areas | 6 | 21.4% |
| Signage, shutters or lighting | Inconsistent signs, shutters, excessive neon or inadequate lighting | 4 | 14.3% |
| Positive or neutral response | Explicitly positive or broadly neutral, including “Good” and “Not a lot” | 2 | 7.1% |
The appearance of the high street was another recurring theme. 23 respondents (82.1%) described shopfronts and the surrounding environment as rundown, scruffy, dirty or uninviting. Residents highlighted litter, graffiti, pavement clutter, shutters and neglected shopfronts.
Question 4
What is the biggest safety issue or concern you have on our high street?
| Theme | What respondents mentioned | Count | Share |
| Drugs, alcohol and antisocial behaviour | Drug use or dealing, street drinking, loitering, intimidation, disruptive groups or related concerns | 19 | 67.9% |
| Personal safety, theft or harassment | Fear of theft, bag or phone snatching, abuse, harassment, or feeling unsafe | 8 | 28.6% |
| Traffic and access hazards | Dangerous or illegal parking, vehicle behaviour, pavement congestion or obstruction | 5 | 17.9% |
| Begging, homelessness or vulnerability | Begging or concerns involving vulnerable people | 4 | 14.3% |
| Cleanliness or other one-off concerns | Litter and other individual safety issues | 3 | 10.7% |
When asked about their biggest safety concern, 19 respondents (67.9%) mentioned drugs, alcohol or antisocial behaviour. Other concerns included theft, harassment, traffic and pavement obstructions.
Question 5
If you could change one thing about our high street today, what would it be?
| Theme | What respondents mentioned | Count | Share |
| Improve safety and address antisocial behaviour | Reduce drug or alcohol activity, theft, intimidation or other disruptive behaviour | 9 | 32.1% |
| Renew and clean the high street | Refurbishment, cleanliness, lighting, graffiti removal, improved shopfronts or general regeneration | 9 | 32.1% |
| Broaden or change the shop mix | More variety, useful shops, fewer repetitive premises or a return to a previous mix | 8 | 28.6% |
| Enforcement and pavement management | Visible policing, action on pavement trading, encroachment or landlord upkeep | 6 | 21.4% |
| Community, access or transport | Community hub or events, pedestrianisation, parking or other access ideas | 5 | 17.9% |
Asked what single change they would make, nine respondents (32.1%) called for improvements to safety and action on antisocial behaviour, while the same number wanted the high street renewed and cleaned. Eight respondents (28.6%) wanted a broader mix of shops.
Paulette said, “Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. I take residents’ concerns about Erdington High Street seriously, and I want people to feel safe, welcome and proud of their local high street. Your feedback matters, and I will continue to listen to residents, raise these issues with the relevant authorities and push for the improvements our community wants to see.”