Lyle Bignon, NTE Ambassador for Birmingham, working on behalf of the NTIA, said:
It is very disappointing to learn that the Birmingham St Patrick’s Parade organising team cannot meet increased safety/security costs this year, leading to the cancellation of the 2025 event as a result.
The safety of audiences and revellers must, of course, always be central to any event.
This challenge is sadly indicative of the current operating climate for the live event industry, in particular community and music, not just in Birmingham but one that major events and festivals across the UK face.
As a former St Patrick’s Festival board member, I know how much voluntary work and operational spend goes into this event.
This decision will be particularly hard for the individuals who gave up their time and expertise for free to try and deliver the parade this year.
The wider Birmingham Irish community, as well other communities in Birmingham, must step up if this important unifying celebration of identity and community is to continue in future.
The cancellation is also a further example of how rising production costs and now limited support from local and regional authorities directly damages community culture and heritage in our city.
Our Irish Quarter pubs, bars, retailers, cafés, restaurants, hotels and other visitor and NTE businesses rely on the success of the parade weekend to help meet the cost of operating in the challenging economic climate, and many will have already committed to booking additional staff and entertainment.
I would urge all families and revellers who were previously planning to attend the parade, to commit to visiting Digbeth for food, drink and entertainment the same weekend; the Digbeth area – our city’s Irish Quarter – will still be celebrating St Patrick’s Day in true Irish fashion.