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Jail On Bradford Street

S

samurai

proper brummie kid
Hi all,

I was told the Sander and Kang building on Bradford street was once a jail, and the bricked up arches that I've always assumed were windows, were once open cells where all the dirt and dust from the road was blown into the faces of the prisoners. Does anyone know anything about this?
Sorry to babble on, but local history fascinates me, I just can't get enough of it.
Thanks for any help you can give
Eddie
 
Vivienne14 said:
Has anyone ever heard of this jail? Viv.
Click to expand...
Hi Viv,
No. I do not think it ever existed. In 1806 Peck Lane Jail closed. (It is now the site of New Street Station) The prisoners were moved to a new jail at the public offices in Moor Street. This remained until 1849 when Winson Green Prison opened.
Chris Beresford (Old Boy)
 
Thanks Mike. A made-up story then. But no surprise as the building has some features that might look like a prison. And it looks very austere I suppose. Looks even less hospitable today. The George Mason clock is still there with the George (top) and Mason (bottom) blocked out in orange. Viv.image.jpeg
 
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I note from the Birmingham Despatch that the George Mason building, has suddenly gone up in flames . Here is what the Despatch says:

Alerted by the sound of fire engines and the smell of smoke in his flat, our staff writer Samuel biked down to 54 Bradford Street — a Digbeth landmark, overlooking the Anchor and White Swan pubs. Around the back of the vast warehouse, the West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) were on the scene. A WMFS officer informed us that the blaze had started because of “a rubbish pile.” Being a Dispatch journalist, this set off Samuel’s story senses, so he’s done a little early morning research. Here’s what he found:

  • The huge warehouse, once the offices of Birmingham greengrocer George J. Mason, had been bought for £14.3 million in 2022 by Future High Street Living.
  • In 2021, Birmingham City Council granted permission for the structure’s demolition despite objections from the Victorian Society. Future High Street Living, founded by the Cannock-based property developer Sam Ginda, recently went into administration, on 26 March.
  • According to the Land Registry, the buildings had multiple charges (probably a commercial mortgage) made out to Together Commercial Finance Limited. Ginda has been approached for comment.
 
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