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Off the Page: Birmingham

Birmingham

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Dominic Arkwright and guests discuss Birmingham, its flaws and its fabulousness.

Is Birmingham the UK’s second city or not? With Dominic Arkwright, Adrian Goldberg, Shazia Mirza and Luke Bainbridge. From 2011

Dominic Arkwright and guests discuss the city of Birmingham; its flaws and its fabulousness.

According to a survey, the majority of the population believe that Manchester is the UK's second city and not Birmingham. Lord Digby Jones added further fuel to that debate when he suggested in 2011 that Manchester has a more legitimate claim to that crown. 

But is there anything to be gained from being classified as second? Is it a title that either cities want?

Brummies Adrian Goldberg and Shazia Mirza and Mancunian Luke Bainbridge join Dominic Arkwright to discuss why coolness is the one adjective that has eluded the city of a thousand trades. 

Blighted by dialectic prejudice and the stereotypes borne of Crossroads and the like, Birmingham is about to embark on another architectural city revamp. 

Is Birmingham happy with itself?

Producer: Sarah Langan.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.

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