Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, visited Digbeth’s Social Enterprise Quarter on Tuesday 9th December to officially open its first shop – Textiles by St Anne’s, which is located at 200 Alcester Street. The shop is a new venture for Textiles by St Anne’s, which is one of four social enterprises operated by the mental health charity BITA Pathways.
Previously located in Nechells, the enterprise has grown by nearly 50% in the past year and needed bigger premises. Digbeth was the preferred choice, which is great news for the Quarter.
You can now pop in for alterations to your clothes, to order tailor-made home furnishings, or perhaps to commission a unique embroidered gift with a message of your choice for a loved one! The services are bespoke and manager Helen Costa is always pleased to talk to customers about what they would like and how that can be achieved.
Speaking at the opening, Chair of BITA Pathways, Dermot McGovern, said: “Textiles by St Anne’s is one of BITA’s jewels. It is wonderful to witness people who have come through real adversity and pain discovering that they have a flair for something they didn’t know they could do, then watching them grow in confidence as they become part of a team producing the highest quality professional work.”
Sir Albert Bore added: “It gives me great pleasure to be supporting this enterprise, which is doing such excellent work. And I am delighted to see Digbeth Social Enterprise Quarter flourishing, attracting new enterprises and creating new opportunities a year after I launched it. Social Enterprise is making a significant contribution towards Birmingham’s economy.”
