We have Alfred Bird’s wife’s egg allergy to thank for the iconic Bird’s Custard. Seemingly, the Birmingham chemist refused to go without his favourite apple crumble topping, as he set about inventing eggless, instant custard (he also invented baking powder, but we won’t get into that here).
But it was his son, also called Alfred Bird, confusingly, that built the 15-acre factory in Digbeth in 1906—and at one time, a thousand people worked here, before Bird & Sons moved to Banbury in 1964. But today, the beautifully restored Victorian factories serve as a cultural hub in Birmingham’s Creative Quarter.
The Custard Factory
Maintaining its industrious edge, the Custard Factory has thrived as a cutting-edge workspace for Birmingham’s coolest creative studios, tech companies, and media agencies. But there’s much more to it than that, as it hosts everything from markets to festivals, as well as housing many independent shops, bars, and restaurants.
One of its hottest residents is also one of its newest arrivals, Alfred Works, which was recently crowned the UK’s best food hall. Inside, you will find 18 independently owned food vendors, serving everything from the viral Birria Ramen (Fuego 1987) to authentic Palestinian flavours (Baity). Plus, it’s also got an ‘Alfresco’ sports bar.
Elsewhere, you will find Birmingham’s only (proper) independent cinema, the Mockingbird, which hosts screenings of everything from summer blockbusters to cult classics, in between wine tastings and a free mystery movie night (one every Friday). It’s a huge supporter of Birmingham’s film community, and deserves your support in return.
If a little more activity is what you’re after, then The Custard Factory can supply that too—check out the absolutely bonkers golf course, Golf Fang, neon-splattered arcade bar, NQ64, and the brilliant board game cafe, Chance & Counters. Or why not tuck into one of the most exciting restaurants Birmingham has to offer, 670 Grams?
Then there’s the opportunity to do a shopping spree—grab streetwear from Bene Culture or alternative items from The Goths Playground—or soak up some art from Digbeth Art Studio, or simply just wander around The Custard Factory to see some of the city’s most exciting street art.
I’ve hardly even scratched The Custard Factory’s surface before you spiral out to discover the rest of Digbeth’s impossibly cool businesses—from the Old Crown and Mama Roux’s to Red Brick Market and Eastside Projects. So get down and smell the custard yourself.
