Locals and entrepreneurs in a sometimes 'quiet and dark' part of Digbeth hope new retail units will help revitalize the area.

An underused office block at the intersection of Rea Street and Bradford Street has seen partial redevelopment, now featuring shops on its ground floor.

Pplans to repurpose the unused ground space of the property at 44 Bradford Street from offices to retail units won approval in May 2024, with shopfronts recently being fitted.

A past real estate listing suggested a coffee spot and a grocery store might occupy the units, though the occupiers have not yet been confirmed.

Local collective Friends of Bradford Street, known for their regular clean-up efforts in the area, have also heard reports about a shop and café moving to the premises near Digbeth Coach Station, Birmingham Live says.

Previously home to Midland Heart Housing Association and later serving as a food bank, the location has, like numerous structures along Rea Street, become vacant and attracted graffiti.

Area residents are hopeful that the storefronts will boost the area. Nathan Lyne, a Digbeth inhabitant and Friends of Bradford Street member, said: "It's great to see more life coming back into the neighbourhood.

"I just really hope one of the new shops is an affordable supermarket with fresh, healthy food - we could really do with that around here."

Julian Rose-Gibbs, landlord at The Anchor pub in Digbeth, added: "It's brilliant to have more businesses setting up - it makes the area feel livelier and more inviting.

"Sometimes it's a bit too quiet and dark around here at night, so this should help brighten things up."