Star City, Birmingham

Star City is a vast entertainment complex in the UK, with a great emphasis on family leisure. It is located in the north east of Birmingham very close to Spaghetti Junction (Junction 6) of the M6 motorway and Aston Train Station. [ [http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=409838&Y=289741&A=Y&Z=1 Location map] ]

Development

This former derelict industrial land was developed as part of a regeneration scheme for the Heartlands area and to change Birmingham's image for the 21st century. Its centrepiece is the 30-screen Vue cinema, at the time the largest cinema in Europe. The construction was carried out by Wolverhampton based firm Carillion. [ [http://www.carillionplc.com/sectors/sectors_leisure_star.asp Case study - Star City] ] The complex was opened in the July 2000 by actor George Clooney. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/843922.stm |title= Clooney hits Birmingham |publisher=BBC News |date=2000-07-20]

Early days

Star City's popularity has gained momentum and is attracting many people from outside Birmingham. The cinema - initially Warner Village - has been re-branded as Vue and the Star City Casino opened in November 2003 as the UK's largest casino.Fact|date=March 2008

The complex previously housed such stores as Borders and Starbucks.

By the end of 2003, it was the largest leisure park in the country ahead of The Printworks in Manchester and The Mailbox in Birmingham city centre. ["Leisure And Recreation Management", page 222, George Torkildsen, 2005, Routledge (ISBN 0415309956)]

Attractions

Aside from the multiplex and the casino, there are restaurants serving Indian (Shere Khans), Mexican, Spanish (La Tasca), Italian (Bella Italia and Pizza Hut), Chinese (Flames), American (Old Orleans), an authentic Bollywood-themed café (Shobha's) and traditional English food.

A 22-lane Megabowl was revealed when Star City opened and has remained since - however, this has now been rebranded to Tenpin.

It has been confirmed that the centre is in the middle of a major redevelopment in 2008. England's first 36 hole Adventure Mini Golf Course Complex - Adventure Island Mini Golf recently opened on 11 June 2008. [ [http://www.adventureminigolf.co.uk Official Website] ] Also additional bowling lanes will be added as well as a Quaser laser-based games area and Twin Peaks Family Climbing Centre..

A new 'Goals' soccer centre opened in 2007 with its pitches situated on the roof of the centre. Goals also incorporates a Sports Bar which shows year round sporting events on both Sky and Terrestrial TV.

There are also shopping stores, bars and a Virgin Active Health Club within the main plaza.

Plans are also finalised for other new family leisure attractions to open during 2008.

On the outside, there are seasonal shows such as fireworks displays, circuses and funfairs with the Chinese State Circus returning for Christmas and New Year 2008.

Reflecting the community

Star City has recently rebranded as a family based leisure destination - reflecting the need for such a complex in the Midlands.Fact|date=March 2008

Also, the screening of all major Hollywood blockbusters as well as Bollywood films by Vue's theatre at the site is seen as an attraction for all visitors. Entertainment for the venue is selected from all over the world with high profile visits made by the French Cirque du Soleil in 2005 [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2005/01/10/cirque_du_soleil_preview_feature.shtml BBC: Cirque du Soleil] ] and the Chinese State Circus in 2006.

It has been confirmed that in 2008 a FREE Fireworks display will take place on the 2nd November and the Chinese State Circus will be visiting again from the 18th December to 12th January 2009.

A number of the major restaurants at Star City, including Nandos and Shere Khans, also cater for the local Muslim population by serving halal meat. [ [http://www.starcitycentre.co.uk/whatsin/ What's at Star City?] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=3158&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=1338 Major Developments archive on Star City]
* [http://www.starcity.org.uk Star City Official Website]