As we get closer to the next phase of Boris Johnson’s roadmap, let’s look at which locations are scheduled to reopen on May 17th.
And there’s plenty to choose from, including entertainment venues, children’s play centers, indoor attractions, trampoline venues, and museums.
You can also enjoy a coffee or lunch in the pub from May 17th, subject to the current government plan going into effect.
Most places request online booking in advance as they operate at significantly reduced capacity to allow adequate social distancing. Many are demanding that people complete track and trace information and that all over 11s wear face masks. Some take the temperature on arrival.
Remember, you must not visit any of these places if you have Covid symptoms or are waiting for test results.
Starting May 17th, people can get together for an indoor pub lunch like this Desi Festival at the New Soho Tavern
Visit an indoor attraction
LEGOLAND in Birmingham in Brindleyplace plans to reopen on May 17th with reduced capacity and social distancing measures. Find out more here
From May 17th you can also visit the nearby Sea Life Center. Book your tickets for both attractions online in advance to avoid disappointment. Find out more here
You can also travel to Cadbury World in Bournville starting May 17th, provided you book in advance and follow safety guidelines. Find out more here
The think tank at Millennium Point will reopen a little later on Saturday, May 29th. You can book tickets here from May 6th
The rest of the Birmingham Museum group is currently closed, although you can currently visit the Sarehole Mill Community Shop (11 am-4pm) and enjoy pizza in the courtyard (12-3pm) Wednesday through Sunday. The mill itself remains closed. Find out more here
The libraries in Birmingham are now also open. Check out our guide to 20 rainy day ideas in Birmingham.
LEGOLAND will reopen in Birmingham on May 17th
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Enjoy lunch in the pub
Indoor hospitality will reopen on May 17th, including pubs and restaurants that are currently only open to those seated outside.
Customers need to sit down while they order, eat, and drink, and social distancing measures remain in place between tables.
Check out our guide to family-friendly pubs and restaurants around Brum and our suggestions for 52 restaurants to try in town too.
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
Go to a gig or a comedy night
Live music is back on the scene when the pubs get the go-ahead to reopen indoors on May 17th.
Symphony Hall welcomes music lovers back with strict security measures. You can see Beverley Craven on May 23rd and Satinder Sartaaj on May 30th. There will also be a fascinating Aida in the town hall on May 25th and Jimmy Webb on June 8th. More information can be found here
The Jam House in St. Paul’s Square has announced that it will reopen on May 20th with an Apollo Soul Night. Find out more here
The Jam House on St. Paul’s Square will reopen in May 2021
And the Glee Club at the Arcadian will reopen May 21st. More information can be found here. Katie Fitzgeralds will also reopen in Stourbridge in May. Find out more here
Major events are planned for the coming months at Resorts World Birmingham and the Utilita Arena, including Pussy Cat Dolls, McFly, Alicia Keys, Genesis and Dula Lipa.
According to government guidelines, capacities must be limited. So it is best to visit the Utilita Arena website here and the Resorts World Arena website here for the latest information.
Meet friends in a coffee shop
As in pubs, cafes will be allowed to seat from May 17, provided you adhere to the 6 or two household guidelines.
These include cafes with soft play areas such as the Little Green Frog Cafe in Lichfield, Hillfield Farm in Solihull, Hickory’s Smokehouse in Castle Bromwich and the Loco Lounge on Kings Heath.
Check out our guide to the best coffee shops with indoor play areas here
The Loco Lounge at Kings Heath will reopen on May 17th
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Watch a movie in the cinema
According to government guidelines, cinemas can reopen on May 17th.
Cineworld has announced that it will “resume operations in the UK in May under current government guidelines”.
The best thing to do is check out the cinema websites for Cineworld, Showcase, Vue, and Odeon to see when they will reopen, what films they are showing, and what social distancing measures they are taking.
Did you know there is now a Brummie Mummies podcast? Download or stream it on all major podcasting platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Go to a theater show or exhibition
Following the success of the UK premiere of Van Gogh Alive in October, the Birmingham Hippodrome will reopen the experience on May 25th.
Then the theater will reopen for live performances on August 24th with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical Tell Me on a Sunday with Jodie Prenger. Find out more here
At The House at The Rep, you can see the Rosie Kay Dance Company built on May 19th and built from May 27th. More information can be found here
And watch out for Beyond Broadway at the Alexandra Theater starting June 27th and some guys are all lucky enough to see the June 29th Rod Stewart story. More information can be found here
The Van Gogh Alive exhibition returns to the Birmingham Hippodrome
Go trampoline jumping
Trampoline parks like Rush in Kings Norton have announced that they will reopen on May 17th.
At Rush, you can book open jumps, toddler time, parties, and fitness activities online.
Bookings are limited to the “6 or two household rule” and capacity for jump sessions is reduced by 50 percent. It is expected that those over the age of 11 will wear masks and that track and trace measures will be in place. Find out more here
However, the Boing Zone in Stourbridge and Birmingham has announced that they will remain closed until October 2021.
The best way to find out what’s going on for families in and around Birmingham is to join our tribe of Brummie Mummies!
Just follow our Brummie Mummies Facebook page and subscribe to our free Brummie Mummies email newsletter to keep up to date on all the wonderful happenings for kids and parents across town.
You can also download and stream the Brummie Mummies podcast on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Take your kids to a play center
Soft play centers for children have also received the green light to reopen.
The huge Imagination Street activity center in Redditch is slated to reopen May 17 with timed sessions, track-and-trace and face-covering rules for those over 11. A fogging disinfectant is used throughout all gaming equipment on a daily basis to create a protective film that helps reduce the spread of viruses. Find out more here
Other play centers slated to reopen May 17th include Hickory Dickory’s Playhouse in Kings Heath, Play Station in Saltley, 360 Play in Redditch and the Children’s Play Village in Warwick.
Take an indoor sports or exercise class
Gyms and sports centers are allowed to start indoor group sports and group exercise classes for adults from May 17.
Check out our guide to gyms and swimming pools here
Things to do with children in Birmingham
Book a hotel break
Previously there were only self-catering options for booking a vacation.
As of May 17, people will be able to book vacations in hotels, hostels and B & Bs again as government policies require they can welcome guests again.
Take a look at these Birmingham hotels ranked among the UK’s best “Covid Safe Stays”.
Already opened
Outdoor venues such as Warwick Castle, West Midland Safari Park, Bear Grylls Adventure, Go Ape, Twycross Zoo, Drayton Manor and Alton Towers have already reopened.
Selected indoor attractions such as the Snowdome in Tamworth and Planet Ice in Solihull have already opened. Many of these attractions can now reopen more indoor spaces, as per government guidelines.
Indoor pools are now also open, with strict Covid safety rules in place.
Tries include kingstanding swimming pools with a pale yellow diving helmet for toddlers, plus water features with buckets, jet sprays and even a shark, the Stechford Leisure Center, which was renovated for £ 9 million in 2018, and the Northfield Sports Center.
* Are you reopening your independent business? Contact us through our Brummie Mummies Facebook page or email zoe.chamberlain@reachplc.com