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Big Brum Open Top Buz

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BIG BRUM BUZ LAUNCH DAY 2011

Saturday 23rd April - St Georges Day

Birmingham Chamber members have been invited to join the Big Brum Open Top Buz launch at 10.30 on St George's Day. Places can be reserved on a first come, first served basis. RSVP by 15th April at the latest to Sue on 0121 427 2555/078051 15998 or email enquiries@birmingham-tours.co.uk

So that no one misses out as part of the St Georges Day Celebrations in Victoria Square we are offering FREE guided half taster tours at 1 and 2.30 from Waterloo Street, Victoria Square.

FIXED DATE BUS TOURS FOR 2011

Tickets for all the regular fixed date Big Brum Open Top Buz Sightseeing tours can be purchased on the bus or booked in advance in person at the Rotunda Visitor Centre or Central Library Reception. To book online click here. Tickets for the Big Brum Buz can be purchased at all outlets, tickets for the themed bus tours can only be purchased by contacting Sue at Birmingham Tours on 0121 427 2555/078051 15998, email enquiries@birmingham-tours.co.uk

Guided tours on your own coach and hire of the Open Top Big Brum Buz by arrangement - tours tailored to your organisation or school group requirements - contact Birmingham Tours on 0121 427 2555, 078051 15998, www.birmingham-tours.co.uk

NEW FOR 2011

Dates:The Big Brum Buz as a hop on hop off tour will be running every Saturday and Sunday from 30th April to 25th September – check the route map for bus stops – ticket valid for the day.

Tour times: 10.30, 12.30 and 2.30

Meeting point: Victoria Square, Waterloo Street, next to the Council House

Tickets cost: £12 adult; £10 concessions, £8 students, £5 children (5 to 15 years), £20 family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children), £8 special Brummie ticket (proof of address or accent will be required!)

History

Birmingham had a sightseeing bus about 13 years ago operated by the main company in the business City Sightseeing. Now the time is right to have a bus again and this is what happened in 2009.

As a qualified Heart of England Blue Badge tour guide I have been embarrassed that Birmingham did not have a bus as I see it as an essential requirement plus a walking tour to promote any city. The unique selling point of the Big Brum Buz is that it is the ONLY open top sightseeing bus tour in Birmingham offering a complete live guided one hour tour covering the major points of interest from both an historical, architectural, cultural and contemporary aspect.

The bus brings Birmingham in line with other major cities in the UK and abroad and the tour is hosted by expert qualified Heart of England Blue Badge Guides all of whom are passionate about Birmingham.

Having approached City Sightseeing and many other bus companies nobody was interested so I subsequently, bought a bus. Central Connect operate the bus as it requires an operator’s licence and this is where we need help with funding. In 2010 Johnsons Coaches took over the operation of the bus and in 2011 Kings Norton Coaches took over the operation of the bus.

Where it goes:

BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Chocolate, custard, cars, whistles and bangles to the best in science, medicine, education and art – Birmingham has it all

A live guided exciting adventure through the UK’s second city – the Brummagem tour takes you to the commercial heart of the city and includes the major buildings of architectural interest. Following the road to the unique Jewellery Quarter which really emphasises why Birmingham was known as the city of a thousand trades in Victorian times we then travel along Broad Street – the Golden Mile with the Golden Boys. Picking up the highway to Edgbaston – home to the manufacturers of the city and the international cricket ground we link up with the Tolkien trail and the world famous Cardinal Newman Oratory. Entering the city from the East side we get the full panoramic view of St Martin’s Parish Church and the new state of the art Bullring shopping complex with the iconic building of Selfridges.

What it can do:

The bus is an ambassador for the city - besides running as a fixed date tour it is continually available for private hire throughout the year for corporate clients, schools, Universities, wedding parties, organisations, WI’s, etc. Check out our Days Out in Birmingham and Bus Tours page if you would like a themed event.

Marketing to date:

  • Launched via the Phil Upton Show, Radio WM with coverage on Midlands Today, Central Television and local press.
  • Friends of the Big Brum Buz initiative – advertising, sponsoring a seat, annual pass, promotional packages.
  • Jazz Festival, Jewellery Quarter Festival, Gay Pride Festival, Arts Fest, Taste of Birmingham,
  • Tour by Lady Mayoress, private hire tours for various companies including Curtins who have been involved in building over 20 of the major buildings within the city.
  • Kidney Appeal for Birmingham’s Children Hospital
  • Open Days for present and future students at Birmingham University, Aston University, UCB.
  • Themed events – Christmas Lights and Ghostbusters Tours
  • Tickets donated for various events including charities such as St Mary’s Hospice, Leukaemia Care Charity
  • The Big Brum Buz took part in the Chinese New Year Festival in Solihul, St Patricks Day Festival in Birmingham and the BRMB Road Show at Aston Villa
  • Went to Liverpool as part of the City of Culture bid
  • School tour for Hodge Hill School, transport for a High School Prom, tour for the Britain in Bloom competition, tour for the Ethnic Education and Advisory Service, special tour for the visit of Pope Benedict and the life of Cardinal Newman, took part in Heritage Open Days free of charge and was launched as one of the great things to do in Birmingham by Conference Aston.
  • We also had our first wedding - thank you very much.

What it should do:

Intention:

BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING TOUR PROPOSAL FOR 2010

The concept is a chain bracelet – all of Birmingham’s people & places united together

  • Bus running as a `hop on hop off’ ticketed service on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the Sunday run linked with Cadbury’s World and Aston Hall from April to September – it can be a shopping bus.
  • Branded bus – your company & the bus `become one’ - promoting your company to a highly relevant target market and developing CSR image for greater public awareness.
  • Bus stops on route – Jewellery Quarter, Broad Street, the Oratory, Barber Institute, Moor Street Station
  • The link with the train stations allows for the promotion of Days Out in Birmingham – the bus is an ambassador.
  • Themed tours to include Tolkien, Matthew Boulton, Birmingham Rocks, Black Country, Warwick and Stratford, BBC, Brewery Tours, Birmingham Broadcasts, Cardinal Newman Celebration tour, school visits – developing the Heart of England.
  • The bus to feature in all festivals and sporting events

What has happened in 2011 - well the bus operation has been taken on by Kings Norton Coaches after literally trying every bus operator in the Little Red Book and the bus needs major repair work - at the moment a figure of £4000 has been mentioned - help!

Although we have not achieved our intention for 2010 we are still here and in 2011 the bus will be running every Saturday and Sunday from 30th April to 25th September which is fantastic. Our tour times are now 10.30, 12.30 and 2.30 and we will start from Victoria Square, Waterloo Street, next to the Council House. At the moment I am not sure of the stops on route but we will definitely include the stop in the Jewellery Quarter by the clock in Warstone Lane.

How people in Birmingham benefit:

Succeed economically:

The bus can bring in visitors with the opportunity of `spend’. It specifically improves the opportunity of `spend’ within the region encouraging visitors to the NEC, ICC and NIA to stay longer. It helps the local economy, in particular, by linking all tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops, etc., via the bus stops connected to the travel network.

Stay safe in a clean and green city:

The bus makes people proud of their city emphasizing that the rest of the UK and the World see their city as a place of interest which is worth visiting. Their community has value and they want to belong.

Be Healthy:

The bus can be used to develop care and support for older people and vulnerable children and better support for people with long term conditions and their carers.

Enjoying a high quality of life:

It is an essential requirement for any city, offering a complete live guided one hour tour covering the major points of interest from both an historical, architectural, cultural and contemporary aspect. The bus links the renowned cultural and leisure opportunities that are available in the city.

Making a contribution:

It is accessible for all members of the community allowing for people from varying backgrounds to value one another. It forges links with all communities in Birmingham and can be seen as focal point helping all communities identify with the city.