Empty Perry Barr Games Village Flats Leave Visitors with a Sense of Disappointment

Birmingham: I recently checked out the Perry Barr site. It’s a big area where the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village was built. You’d think it would be buzzing, right? But nope, it’s mostly empty.

The games were supposed to bring a bright future. Instead, the city is now in debt and struggling. The council is cutting services and raising taxes. It’s a real mess.

They built 968 homes here, but most are still vacant. It’s been two and a half years since the games ended. You can see the shiny new buildings, but no one is living in them. Just a couple of security guards hanging around.

The project cost a whopping £500 million, and there’s a huge shortfall. Taxpayers will be footing the bill for years. It’s frustrating, especially when you think about how many people need homes.

I wandered around the site, and it looks nice. There are manicured gardens and bike racks. But it feels eerie with no one around. People passing by had no idea what was happening. Some thought the flats weren’t up to standard, but that’s not true.

The designs have won awards, but the prices seem off. Flats are listed between £173,400 and £229,500, and they just aren’t selling. So now, the council is looking to fill them with tenants and shared ownership schemes.

While some homes will eventually be occupied, the real legacy of the games is the financial burden on Birmingham’s taxpayers. It’s a sad situation that leaves a lot to be desired.