BLACK SABBATH STEP IN TO HELP SAVE ICONIC BIRMINGHAM LANDMARK BEFORE FAREWELL GIG

An architect has confirmed that work has begun on plans to transform listed pub The Crown - and that Black Sabbath is involved with the changes.

The iconic pub, known for being the first place Black Sabbath ever played live, sits empty, covered in graffiti and pasted with flyers in one of the city centre's prominent locations.

Manchester-based firm Stephenson Hamilton Risley (SHR) Studio has said today (Thursday, June 5) that it is working with Birmingham City Council (BCC) and Black Sabbath on essential repairs and artwork proposals for the historic Station Street boozer.

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Birmingham is gearing up to welcome some 200,000 visitors for what is being dubbed a 'Super Weekend' this July, including those heading to Black Sabbath's final ever gig at Villa Park Stadium on Saturday, July 5.

Justin Risley, director of SHR Studio, says that his firm is working on behalf of building owner Toyoko Inn to ensure the building is ready for the influx of visitors heading to see Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler's last gig in their home neighbourhood of Aston.

Justin told BirminghamLive: "We have been working with our client Toyoko Inn, together with BCC and Black Sabbath on some essential repairs and artwork proposals to The Crown in advance of the Black Sabbath weekend.

"These works will be complete in advance of this."

As well as works being completed in time for July 5, Justin confirmed that Toyoko Inn has long-term plans for the site.

"We are also at the early stages of designs for the reuse of The Crown and the adjacent site and have been working closely with the above parties to bring forward some exciting proposals," Justin said.

The plans cannot yet be revealed but Justin says more will be unveiled in due course.

"As an architect and metal fan, Iommi being a personal hero of mine, I am incredibly excited to be working on this project," Justin added.

As well as The Crown, it's expected that many music fans will flock to nearby Black Sabbath attractions over the course of the weekend of July 5 and July 6, including the bench on Broad Street and the new giant mural currently being completed on Navigation Street.

However, both are relatively new additions to the city, while The Crown hosted Black Sabbath's early gigs more than 50 years ago.

Despite its rich history - bands including The Who, Status Quo, UB40, Duran Duran, Thin Lizzy, Marc Bolan, Supertramp, Judas Priest and a number of Robert Plant's pre-Led Zeppelin outfits performed there - the pub is currently closed.

Station Street is also the home of The Electric Cinema - which was the UK's oldest working cinema before it closed last year - and The Old Rep theatre, the oldest repertory theatre in Britain.

2025-06-05T15:13:59Z