The Custard Factory - A Birmingham Gem

The Custard Factory in Digbeth has been at the heart of much of the City’s history and will be at the heart of its future as a location of art, creativity and innovation.


Devonshire House on High Street Deritend in Digbeth was built in 1902 for Alfred Bird and Sons Limited who produced egg free custard

They continued at this site until 1964 when production was relocated to Banbury.

The Custard Factory is famed for it’s graffiti street art which changes regularly

Project dates

07 Oct 2019 - On-going

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History & heritage, Photography, Squares and public spaces

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Jonathan Bostock

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jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

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Art; Culture & creativity
30 Jan 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory

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A Brumtography photo meet on the 16th January 2020 at Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. A miniature golf course of 18 holes with graffiti, video games and horror movie references. For over 18's only. They also have a bar and areas for visitors to eat. We went before they opened, around 4 of us in the end. Thanks to Karl Newton for organising / gaining permission.

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Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory





A Brumtography photo meet on the 16th January 2020 at Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. A miniature golf course of 18 holes with graffiti, video games and horror movie references. For over 18's only. They also have a bar and areas for visitors to eat. We went before they opened, around 4 of us in the end. Thanks to Karl Newton for organising / gaining permission.


GHETTO GOLF

A Brumtography (Facebook) group meet on the 16th January 2020 at Ghetto Golf Birmingham. Which is located at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, on Gibb Street (on the other side of the Bordesley Viaduct). A Crazy Golf course for over 18's only. We went before they opened, and was there for around an hour. They have a Cocktail bar and also serve food for paying customers from Apocalypse Cow. There is amazing graffiti and artwork all over the place, in I think what used to be a former warehouse.

I liked seeing the video game artwork of Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong and Abe from Oddworld series. Was also artwork of horror movie characters such as Beetlejuice and Freddie Krueger.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf bar (Jan 20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 1 to the right. Apocalypse Cow BBQ Street Food to the left. The graffiti bus behind is hole 3.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 1 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In hole 1 was this communal bin with Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street! Graffiti all over the place.

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To Hole 2 which is a Petrol Station. This sign is near a recreation of The Old Crown pub. The stairs leads up to other holes.

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I would guess that this is the petrol station with all the Mobil signs. The Old Crown is to the right of here. Also near the bus. The stairs leads up to other holes.

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Hole 3 is in this former single decker bus from Manchester. Now covered all over in graffiti. They built a DJ station on the roof of the bus.

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Inside the bus from the main entrance. You can also get in and out via the emergency exit door to the back on the left. So much graffiti all over.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 3 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 4 is this skateboarding ramp. Then hole 5 near the adult shop and red post box.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 4 and 5 (Jan 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After hole 5 is a Blockbuster Video which is hole 6. Inside they "rent out" horror movies on VHS video cassettes.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 4 and 5 (Jan 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inside of hole 6 aka Blockbuster Video. Dare you rent out My Girl? Head round the corner to find Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies and see Regan from The Exorcist get lit up!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 6 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Then head out past Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies and get a Coca Cola. The door to the left exits to hole 5.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 6 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 7 is a bathroom. Lots of graffiti street ar here with toilet seats used as heads. Bath in the middle.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 7 and 8 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It looks like you have to hit your golf ball up the ramp and into the dirty toilet! And put your hand in to get the ball out. Hope they provide gloves!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 7 and 8 (Jan 20) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 8 meanwhile is this chicken pen. Next up is hole 9 which is the recreation of The Old Crown pub.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 7 and 8 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At the time of this visit, the real Old Crown pub was closed for renovation works. So hole 9 as The Old Crown was the only one that you could visit.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 9 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It really looks like an old style public house inside. I've never been inside of the real Old Crown pub though, only walk past it outside (or see it from the bus). That door leads to holes 8, 7 and 6. For hole 10, you have to go upstairs.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 9 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 10 on the first floor is Tony's 8 Ball Snooker Hall. Wind your golf ball to the hole like a trick shot, Big Break style.

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View of hole 10 from the ground floor from near hole 1.

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Next up is hole 12 which is this Dog Kennel.

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They appear to be growing something inside of the dog kennel. Somehow you have to get your golf ball in there?

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 11 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 12 is like something from the Aztec world (I would guess).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 12 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They also have images of the Green Man on the wall leading to that creepy face in the door.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 12 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The next hole is hole 13 which is this old room. It could be from the 1970s with dated wallpaper and furniture. But the globe and portraits look much older.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 13 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up look at the globe.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 13 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The last hole on the first floor is hole 14, which is a 10 pin bowling alley.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 14 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

6 pins in position while the other 4 is behind the barrier. Downstairs next to four 16 bit video game inspired holes I think you will love (if you grew up in the early 1990s).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 14 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The first video game hole, is hole 15. Based on the 16 bit Super Mario Bros from the SNES (unless it's based on the 8 bit Mario Bros from the NES).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 15 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Head past Mario and Bowser (also known as King Koopa). Mario would also have been on the Nintendo Game Boy.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 15 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 16 is this Pinball game. Next to the Gameboy saying "Sicker than yo' Average.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 16 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At least I think it's pinball and not Space Invaders. Donkey Kong is next at hole 17.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 16 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Almost near the end. Hole 17 based on Donkey Kong, which is an 8 bit game from the NES.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 17 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was later a 16 bit game on the SNES called Donkey Kong Country with better graphics. I think you can tell that Sonic the Hedgehog is next!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 17 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Finally hole 18 is Sonic the Hedgehog from the Sega Mega Drive. The 16 bit game that was released in 1991 and will soon get his own live action movie!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 18 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is based on the Green Hill Zone that famously opened the classic 2D side scroller. Also featuring Dr Robotnik (who Sega now called Dr Eggman). Game Over Man Game Over!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 18 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now for some bonus photos to finish this post. Near the entrance was this artwork of Beetlejuice (from the 1988 movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton). But will they make Beetlejuice 2?

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf Beetlejuice (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of my favourite video game characters was Abe from the Oddworld series. First appearing on the Playstation 1 (32 bit console) and PC CD Rom in 1997 in the game Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, and it's follow up game in 1998 which was Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus. Later Oddworld games were on the original XBox. Abe was known to ask his fellow Mudokons: "Follow me!" and they would reply: "OK!".

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf Oddworld Abe (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the Apocalypse Cow area was this logo from Mortal Kombat. The original game I think came out on the Sega Mega Drive. They are still making Mortal Kombat games to this day and Mortal Kombat 11 is on the Playstation 4, XBox One and Nintendo Switch (they are very violent).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf Mortal Kombat (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More seating here probably for Apocalypse Cow BBQ Street Food near what looks like to be a heavily gratified train!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf train bar (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Karl Newton keeps setting up these photography meets in the Brumtography Facebook group. If you are a Birmingham based photographer, please request to join. Karl or one of the othe admins may accept you. There is now regular meets and Karl sets up the tickets on EventBrite. It is private group, so you have to be a member to see the posts.

One of our recent meets was at the Electric Cinema on the 20th January 2020. We also met up for the first time at The Eagle & Tun pub before it closed for good by HS2, this was on the 11th January 2020.

I most recently joined Karl and another member of the group at the Bullring for the Festival of Light (on the 26th January 2020). Watch this space for an up and coming post!

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

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Art; Culture & creativity
12 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The changing face of street art over the years at the Custard Factory

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Over the years I keep returning time and time again to see what the latest street art is painted at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. You can now get on via the gate at Floodgate Street and walk over the footbridge that crosses the River Rea. Then under the Bordesley Viaduct through the car park towards Gibb Street. Every month the giant billboard art changes. From City of Colours to Hi Viz.

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The changing face of street art over the years at the Custard Factory





Over the years I keep returning time and time again to see what the latest street art is painted at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. You can now get on via the gate at Floodgate Street and walk over the footbridge that crosses the River Rea. Then under the Bordesley Viaduct through the car park towards Gibb Street. Every month the giant billboard art changes. From City of Colours to Hi Viz.


Ever changing, the street art always gets painted over. So while the art is gone, the photo of it survives years later.

2013

This view taken on Floodgate Street in Digbeth during Feburary 2013. The Bordesley Viaduct seen crossing from Bordesley towards Birmingham Moor Street Station.

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This view taken in July 2013 in what is now the Zellig Car Park. Looks like a pirate!

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The Custard Factory chimney in November 2013 painted for Movember by Graffiti 4 Hire. It is still there now (yet to be painted over). You can see it from the Zellig Car Park or from High Street Deritend.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

King Kong painted in yellow was outside of The Old Bank on Gibb Street during July 2014. When Adee Phelan opened a salon here. Previously this was Turners Violins. The Clean Kilo is now in this building.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the gates on Floodgate Street. This is an alternate entrance to the Custard Factory. Heading under the Bordesley Viaduct. This view taken during August 2014. Cross the footbridge over the River Rea and cross into the car park for the short walk to Gibb Street.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In October 2014 to check out the wonderful street art painted at the City of Colours Festival during September 2014. The artist was Jimmy C.

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2015

This piece taken on Floodgate Street during January 2015. The artist was Gent. Several skeletons here.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Garfield seen on Floodgate Street during March 2015. Although I previously got a photo of this one in October 2014. The gates to the Custard Factory was closed. This was on the day of the St Patrick's Day Parade 2015.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Centre of the Universe. Seen during October 2015. The man at the top is Benjamin Zephaniah. On the left is Felicity Jones (who would go on to star in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2016). This wall regularly gets repainted, usually with giant painted posters adversing something.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2016

The view during April 2016 on Floodgate Street and saw this amazing piece. Not sure of the artist or artists, but was quite close to the Bordesley Viaduct.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The City of Colours Street Art Festival was held again in Digbeth, this time during June 2016. This piece being painted on the wall on Gibb Street. Car park entrance to the right under the Bordesley Viaduct. These artists are amazing. I think it's by Justin Sola (but I'm not fully sure).

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Painted gates on Floodgate Street under the Bordesley Viaduct. This entrance to the Custard Factory was closed. Seen in December 2016. This Must Be the Place painted by Caroline Roose. Probably done at the Summer 2016 City of Colours Festival. It was Boxing Day, so the Custard Factory was probably closed.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

This was seen during February 2017. The bottom of the Moonlight street art painted movie poster. It won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards. I've not seen this film myself.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Temporary hoardings at the Zellig entrance of Devonshire House. Merry Christmas from Zellig seen in December 2017. Nice image of a snowman.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Blade of the Immortal also seen in December 2017 (same day as above). In the Zellig courtyard area.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

The steps from Heath Mill Lane during the snow of March 2018. The walls were very pink down here.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Crossing the River Rea footbridge under the Bordesley Viaduct during April 2018. And I saw this wall painting of a lady with sunglasses. Possibly a piece by Justin Sola (or someone else).

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On Gibb Street in July 2018 under the Bordesley Viaduct. "The Bohemian from Balsall Heath". Painted for Odeon Cinemas. The man is probably Odeon founder Oscar Deutsch. R2D2 from the Star Wars movies was played by the late great Kenny Baker. Felicity Jones by now a star thanks to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The Beatles probably performed in Birmingham in the 1960s.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

Under the Bordesley Viaduct from Floodgate Street during March 2019. The gates to the Custard Factory were open. "Diablo" by Gent 48.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (1A).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Peaky Blinders returned to BBC One in August 2019 with Series 5. And this piece of Tommy Shelby was on the painted billboard wall at the time. Peakys Fan Art by James Mundy.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory Peaky Blinders Tommy Shelby fan art.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Judge Dredd in the Zellig Car Park during October 2019. It was probably painted during the High Viz Street Art Festival, which took place during early September 2019. Saw this during Birmingham Weekender, but I was more interested in the street art.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

 

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