INDEPENDENT BIRMINGHAM: WE HEAR YA

AS promised, here is another 'new thing' happening in Birmingham:

THE IB CARD:
Not something you use to take books out at the library, this little plastic gem allows you to be subject to wonderful discounts for an entire year at your favourite independent businesses in Birmingham. 

Here's me with mine which I pre-ordered for £10, OBVIOUSLY.

The Independent Birmingham website [rather helpfully] hosts two things, as well as being quite smart:

                  a] a directory of Independent retailers/restaurants/bars in the city, complete with pictures and blurb,
                      and
                  b] a comprehensive list of all the independents taking part in this initiative which, at the moment is
                      25 strong and counting

Ranging from cafés to bars, restaurants to shops, the IB Card really does have it all. The reason I like it so much is the fact that, amongst other things, it highlights just how many Independents we now have in Birmingham and urges us all to support them [I used to moan that we were lacking a LOT]. Sick of enduring the grimey walls of a ridiculously-priced Starbucks? Had enough of wearing the same clothes as pretty much everyone on your bus? Really want some fresh, great value dinner to wash down with an endless list of craft beer? Then the IB Card is for you! On the list is Birmingham's oldest Inn: The Old Crown, 

Photo courtesy of Ell Brown

The talent-supporting Cherry Reds [I recently played this venue as part of the wonderful Alto Launch], 

Shameless plug plug plugging

Birmingham's little piece of South America: Bodega

Photo courtesy of designmynight.com

and our musical pride and joy Swordfish Records [the day I found out you could buy tickets to a gig I was playing was a great, great day]

Photo courtesy of Grapevine Birmingham

...to name but a few of the brilliant places throwing offers at us left, right and centre. The reality of the matter used to be that independents in Birmingham were almost hidden by the 'safety' and popularity of chains and, as a result, rarely made an impact on our community. That is until now. [yay] Independent businesses are supporting each other and coming together with the help of Independent Birmingham to create a louder voice and share their unique-y goodness with all of us.

The card can be purchased for a mere £15 HERE and entitles you to a year of discounts and free things, the offers for which are updated on the same page [if you scroll down a bit you'll see]. So go on, SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENTS.

love
STANLEY