Birmingham City Council have announced proposals that may see the removal of outdoor seating from Frederick Street - to the detriment of both the hospitality businesses operating on the street and the many who wish to eat, drink and enjoy the historic Jewellery Quarter to its fullest.

We set up this petition to strongly encourage the local authority and decision makers to refocus said proposals and consultation to prioritise the uninterrupted continuation of existing provisions and the further pedestrianisation of both Frederick Street and beyond in this small, but mighty part of the city. Caroline Street, Warstone Lane... we're coming for you.

The Jewellery Quarter has an abundance of arterial streets offering multiple creative solutions that maintain vehicular access where required whilst creating a space built for people, not cars. With an ever-increasing abundance of residents, the time to create a neighbourhood where people can shop, eat, drink, dwell and linger is now. As John, the owner of 1000 Trades, who brought this issue to public attention raised, hospitality faces another year of uncertainty and challenge. Robust, creative and agile plans are needed now more than ever to ensure cherished conservation areas like the JQ and others continue to be living, breathing and dynamic parts of our fine city.

We acknowledge current accessibility concerns, but put back on the council that a contemporary, engaged and progressive consultation should focus on resolving this through further pedestrianisation, not removing a much-loved neighbourhood amenity. On a similar note as to finish quality, the council should and must table ways to support and improve -- not remove.

BCC: The streets are ours, not cars'.