Shirley, B90?

[vinnie83]

Hi, just a quick question for those of you PH'ers in the west midlands, just wondering if any of you know Shirley very well at all, more specifically Stratford Road (I know it's a very long road) - I start work there tomorrow so will be commuting on a daily basis... just wondering what the area's like in general?

Is it a nice area or bit dodgy? any nice pubs/bars/restaurants in the area? any info would be much appreciated.. thanks

[Ganglandboss]

I was staying there a couple of weeks back - it's a dump!

[pies1981]

i live right by shirley mate. its ok, not far from solihull, i wouldnt bother with the pubs around shirley, few rough ones ie the woodmans rest. Solihull is only 5 mins away head there!! You do get alot of kids racing around shirley, they all congregate outside the big johns opposite the police station most nights. Feel free to ask me anything else. HTH.

[Pickled Piper]

Shirley is absolutely fine. The Stratford Road is the main road that runs through it and into central Birmingham. It gets rougher the nearer you get to Birmingham,

pp

[pies1981]

Pickled Piper said:

Shirley is absolutely fine. The Stratford Road is the main road that runs through it and into central Birmingham. It gets rougher the nearer you get to Birmingham,

pp

yep, avoid sparhill.....

[vinnie83]

I don't intend to stay/live there, so no danger of that, but thought if I fancy a drink after work, is it recommended to head to solihull then? or into the city?

I know of sparkhill and have NO intention of spending ANY time there! take it there's nowhere particularly nearby where I'll be thats worth visiting then?

[VxDuncan]

Shirleys fine. I work just off stratford road. If you want drinks near there, best bet is to head into Solihull (nondescript clone town) or into the country.

Try one of these:
http://www.bullsheadb94.co.uk/home.html
http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/theredlionearlswood/ (though the food can be variable).
If you don't want to drive and are near the M42 end, theres the harvester and plough near the motorway.

I've worked here for ten years and never ventured to the pubs in Shirley itself. I think that's all you need to know! Food wise Toyk is okay, but you really are better going to brum or the 'hull.

[pies1981]

i would go into solihull mate, really nice bars restaurants etc

[Pickled Piper]

vinnie83 said:

I don't intend to stay/live there, so no danger of that, but thought if I fancy a drink after work, is it recommended to head to solihull then? or into the city?

I know of sparkhill and have NO intention of spending ANY time there! take it there's nowhere particularly nearby where I'll be thats worth visiting then?

Sparkhill has some of the best Indian food around. I wouldn't wander around after dark but it's perfectly safe in the day time. Also, fine if you just pop in to eat and straight out again.

Nearest place with a bit of life, restaurants and bars is Solihull. You can go in to the City but it is more of a treck. Lots of country pubs etc if you head in the opposite direction.

Enjoy.

pp

[Gids]

Just round the corner you have http://www.innatthefarm.co.uk/ which is probably your best best, that or head into Solihull or out towards Lapworth