Brooklyn-born superstar Barry Manilow heads for Arena Birmingham the day after a major road closure will rock the venue
12:54, 03 Sep 2018Updated 12:54, 03 Sep 2018
When Barry Manilow wrote 'Can't Smile Without You' you can safely bet he wasn't thinking about roadworks in Paradise.
But fans driving to the singer-songwriter's next concert in Birmingham could be in for a nightmare journey - if they don't allow extra time to get through the 'Barry-cades'.
With tickets costing up to £115 to see the Brooklyn-born star, the lyrics to 'Can’t Smile Without You' could take on a sad new meaning for anyone caught up in traffic jams.
Famous for other hits like Mandy, Copacabana and Could It Be Magic, the 75-year-old will appear at the Arena Birmingham on Tuesday, September 4.
Barry Manilow in concert at the NEC in 2000(Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth)
That’s just a day after the neighbouring Paradise Queensway will be shutdown for a year on September 3 – which is also the same day that most Birmingham schools go back after the summer holidays.
The closure is part of the Midland Metro Alliance work to extend the tramline from Stephenson Street in the city centre up to Five Ways in Edgbaston via the £700 million redevelopment of the neighbouring Paradise area.
The lower part of Broad Street has already been closed to drivers and many bus routes diverted.
READ MORE: Barry Manilow announces new UK tour including Birmingham - how to get tickets
Those were the days: a bus waiting to turn off Paradise Queensway on to Broad Street in May, 2018(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Barry Manilow concertgoers from outside of town in particular might not be expecting to find Paradise Queensway closed as well.
Arena Birmingham updated its website to say: “Paradise Circus will close in both directions from Monday 3 and remain closed until summer 2019 – meaning disruption and diversions around the city.
“We strongly recommend you check out all the information within this blog before planning your journey to our venue!”
Barry Manilow(Image: )
What’s the advice from the Arena Birmingham?
A spokesman said: “We have a blog set up on the website helping to make customers aware of the potential issues at this link here
All customers who have booked tickets to a show at Arena Birmingham will be sent the same advisory information in a pre-event email a couple of days before the event.
Fans at the back of the Arena Birmingham(Image: Graham Young)
“Those who have booked for Barry Manilow on Tuesday should have received an email on Friday night, August 31.
“In addition, our Barry Manilow webpage has just been updated with a warning message
“We will be doing this for all other shows that there could be traffic issues for in future as well as using social media heavily in the lead up to events to get the message out.”
READ MORE: Traffic disruption expected as next phase of Birmingham Metro expansion starts
Symphony Hall(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
What about other local attractions?
The website covering both Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall says: “A major transformation of Paradise Circus is underway, and the extensive highway works may affect your journey to Town Hall and Symphony Hall.
It goes without saying that the city will be more difficult to navigate during this redevelopment period. Here are our top tips for making your journey as smooth as possible:
Plan ahead for travel / Leave the car at home whenever possible / Use public transport, walk or cycle / Allow plenty of time
The next events at the venues after the road closures include Grandmaster Flash – Hip Hop People, Places & Things – The Visual Experience at Birmingham Town Hall (Thursday 6), UKBFF Midlands Championships (Town Hall, Friday 7), Brass Band Gala 2018 (Symphony Hall, Fri 7) and CBSO – Dvořák’s New World Symphony (Symphony Hall, Sat 8).
July 2018 view of rubble outside of the Birmingham Rep, with the fenced-off Centenary Square and the new HSBC in the background(Image: Graham Young)
Birmingham Rep
The theatre is currently staging The Comedy About a Bank Robbery until September 8 and Meek at The Door from September 4-8, but has not put out a special message on its website.
It does have a link, though, to the Paradise Birmingham website which can be found here
On Friday, August 30 it was still detailing the changes made in November 2017 rather than warning about changes from September 3.
A webpage for the Library of Birmingham here was also defaulting to the same 2017 information.
READ MORE: How two years of demolition has changed the face of Paradise
Le Monde restaurant was on the first floor of the red building at the centre of this picture of Brindleyplace(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Brindleyplace
The webpage for the Broad Street area with a collection of major businesses, restaurants and Sea Life Centre simply says: “Situated in the heart of Birmingham City Centre and its canal network, Brindleyplace is easily accessed by lots of different means – either by car, on foot, by bike, by train, by bus…and even by boat!
Its next major event is the annual Chilli Festival on September 14-15.
The Sea Life Centre itself says: “Remember, we recommend taking advantage of Birmingham’s brilliant public transport network!
“We also have lots of awesome offers running with Virgin trains, London Midland, Centro and National Express West Midlands so be sure to look out for us. We are just a 10 minute walk from New Street Station!”
READ MORE: Birmingham Pride is having to move to a new location for 2019 - this is why
Paradise Queensway will be closed from Monday, September 3, 2018 - the day the schools go back(Image: Graham Young)
What is happening?
Paradise Queensway will be shut for a year from Monday, September 3, 2018.
The A38 Queensway underpass, which runs beneath Paradise Circus, will remain open in both directions for the duration of the works to allow access to and from the Aston Expressway and M6.
Traffic Marshals will be in place 24/7 to assist drivers wishing to access Holliday Street from Suffolk Street Queensway.
A Deliveroo cyclist rides up Bridge Street, with the Holiday Inn Express behind on Holliday Street (right)(Image: Graham Young)
The Centenary Square area on Broad Street will also be closed to vehicles.
Bus services using this route will be diverted via Sheepcote Street and Bath Row.
For the latest public transport news, visit the Network West Midlands webpage here
For up to date news of work by the Midland Metro Alliance visit its website here or follow on Twitter @midlandtram