MY CITY: BIRMINGHAM WITH GRAPHIC DESIGNER PAUL FELTON
Freelance graphic designer Paul Felton has recently re-located back to Birmingham after a hiatus in the capital. While his work spans many disciplines he specialises in identity and print based design with a particular emphasis on striking typography picking up in the region of fifty design awards along the way.
What would be your perfect day in your city?
I’d say the perfect day for me has to begin just outside the city centre, at Lewis’s in Moseley for one of their epic veggie breakfasts together with a Monmouth cappuccino. Following that I’d head in to town for a nosey round the Ikon Gallery and try my utmost not to bankrupt myself in the book shop. After my culture fix — I’d go for a stroll down the canal to the Mailbox to catch a film on one of the comfy sofas at the Everyman cinema. I really like that cinema, the interior is done out really well, it’s got a nice feel to it (plus I’m a bit of a sucker for neon type!). A film there has to be accompanied by a tray of their delicious nachos and a can of ice-cold Longhorn IPA. Those nachos will have no doubt got my tastebuds going so next I’d probably head for some food. Birmingham is full of such great options for food these days and my favourite place tends to change quite frequently, but number one for me at the moment would have to be the ‘purveyors of filth’ themselves — The Original Patty Men , under the arches of Moor Street station. Unless there’s a tempting special on it has to be their immense bacon and cheese burger and a portion of chips smothered in jalapeño slaw and crispy onions, so so good. They even do a burger in a Krispy Kreme doughnut! Finally, I’m going to ignore geography a little here and cap off a good day, well spent with pint of Saddle Black in PureCraft.
The best hidden secret / undiscovered gem about the City?
One that’s hidden, but probably not much of a secret, is Peel and Stone in the arches on Water Street, by St Paul’s square. They do amazing bread, cakes and sarnies for lunch, well worth a visit, but get there early. One that may be a bit more of a secret that I really enjoy is the Old Joint Stock theater . The Old Joint Stock pub reminds me of some of the grand old London pubs around Fleet Street and the Bank of England that I used to love in London. Tucked away in the back corner is some stairs up to their theatre. It only seats about 30/40 people but they have some great productions on there. I recently went to see a one man play called The Unknown Soldier. It was incredibly captivating and the theatre’s intimate nature makes you feel right in the heart of the performances. Definitely worth picking up some flyers next time your in there having a drink or three.
Favourite bars…
Where to begin! I’m a born and bred Brummie but relatively new back to Birmingham after living in London for a few years so I’m still working my way through them all! So much has changed in the last few years. The perfect pub for me is quite old mannish — I like a boozer with a good selection of real ales, a nice leather Chesterfield armchair to enjoy them in and a roaring fire is always bonus. The Rose Villa Tavern in the Jewellery Quarter ticks most of those boxes, as does The Fighting Cocks in Moseley. There’s also something quite charming about The Wellington. The Spotted Dog and The Anchor in Digbeth also do a cracking pint.
Favourite coffee shop…
I have to sadly admit to being a bit of a snob when it comes to coffee. When I lived in London I used to spend a lot of my time around Borough Market, mainly for beer and food purposes, but they also had a Monmouth coffee there which fast became my favourite brew. When I moved back to Birmingham I was on the hunt for somewhere to get my Monmouth fix and we found Lewis’s in Moseley that serves it, Phew! But a bit closer into town I really like York’s, lovely coffee and their chocolate and pistachio cookie is immense! I discovered Faculty not so long ago hidden away in Piccadilly Arcade which I really like too, a tad on the hipster side, but those hipsters do know how to make a very good coffee!
Favourite shop…
Me and busy shopping areas don’t really mix, so Great Western Arcade is much more up my street — my favourite shop in there is Liquor Store — a clothes shop styled like an old New York prohibition Speak Easy bar… I’m very aware there’s a constant theme of booze running through pretty much every answer in this piece — I’m not obsessed… I promise! Anyway, Liquor Store stocks some really great brands like APC, Oliver Spencer and Folk — I’d highly recommend in investing in a few pairs of their Universal Works socks, they’re an absolute dream on the feet.
Favourite neighbourhood…
My favorite place in and around Birmingham is Moseley, I love the villagey feel of it, and you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to great places to eat and drink. The Fighting Cocks and The Prince of Wales in particular are good for a drink and Carters and The Dark Horse are great for food. What I really like is that it’s mostly filled with really good independent places rather than over-populated with chains.
Where do you head for a late night drink?
These days I’m rarely out much past midnight but there are a couple of places I like for a night cap — Cherry Reds on John Bright Street has got a nice laid back atmosphere, good beers and it’s never too larey so you can (hopefully) grab a table and enjoy a civilized chat. The other I’m enjoying at the moment is Buffallo and Rye, they also do great grub but once the kitchen closes it’s a nice cosy, dim lit bar to enjoy a good selection of whiskeys and cocktails.
