Tag: independent

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Independent Birmingham: Supporting Local Businesses

Joe Schuppler

Listen to our episode of Birmingham food podcast Breaking Bread with Independent Birmingham creator Joe Schuppler Press play on the player above. Alternatively, listen on your favourite podcast app, just select from the list on this LINK

Who Is Independent Birmingham Creator Joe Schuppler?

Hello & welcome to the Birmingham food podcast breaking bread. Co-hosted by food-obsessed mates Liam & Carl. Breaking Bread gives you long-form interviews & discussions with the incredible people who make Brums food scene so unique.

This week we have the pleasure of breaking bread with Joe Schuppler. While at university studying to be an accountant, Joe fell in love with all the awesome independents he & his mates were frequenting. When he got back to Brum he realised he couldn’t name one independent in Birmingham.

What Is Independent Birmingham?

Joe decided to create a website with a directory of all the best independently owned shops, bars & restaurants. Independent Birmingham was born, proving to be highly popular. There were thousands of people like Joe, who wanted to support independent businesses.

As the website grew, Joe introduced a membership option that entitled members to fantastic offers at incredible independents all over the city. The true aim of the membership was to get people out there into Birmingham & actually support Independents.

“You can tell somebody’s poured their heart & soul into it”, Joe replies to my question about what makes independents so special. “These people do these businesses because they love what they do, they have a passion which they inject into it”. Joe continues with passion & emotion, He’s animated, the way you are when you’re talking about something you’re truly passionate about. It’s clear Joe genuinely loves what he does. Loves promoting & screaming about the ever-growing community of independent businesses in Brum. Even if it does take up seventy hours of his week

crowds enjoying Independent Birmingham festival at Aston Hall
Independent Birmingham Festival 2022

How Do I Join Independent Birmingham?

Today Independent Birmingham has a social media following of several thousand. The membership is now an app, which you can download here. For just £1.99 a month you get deals & money off at over 150 amazing independents. This is a fabulous way for you to support independent businesses in Birmingham for not a lot of money. The membership fee not only gets you great offers but it helps IB support & promote all of these fantastic businesses. It’s a win-win.

Breaking Bread With Independent Birmingham

Independent businesses are the lifeblood of Birmingham, adding character and charm to the city’s streets. Independent Birmingham is an initiative that aims to support these businesses by shining a light on them and encouraging people to visit them. The initiative was started by Joe Schuppler, who returned to Birmingham after three years and realised the value of independent businesses. In our latest podcast we explore the importance of supporting local independent businesses, the challenges they face, and how they are helping to overcome them.

Why Support Local Independent Businesses?

There is something special about independent businesses that sets them apart from their larger counterparts. Independent business owners are passionate about what they do, and they pour their hearts and souls into their businesses. They do not do it just for the money, but because they love what they do. This passion is reflected in the unique products and services they offer, which add to the character of the city.

Moreover, supporting local independent businesses is essential for the local economy. According to research by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, for every £1 spent in a local independent business, 63p stays in the local economy, compared to just 40p when spent in a larger chain store. Supporting independent businesses also creates jobs in the local community and helps to keep money circulating locally, which benefits everyone.

The Challenges of Independent Businesses

Despite the many benefits of independent businesses, they face several challenges, especially during these challenging times. The rising costs of energy bills and living expenses make it difficult for small businesses to compete with larger chain stores. The ongoing pandemic has also had a significant impact on many independent businesses, forcing them to close their doors or adapt to new ways of doing business.

How Independent Birmingham is Helping?

Independent Birmingham is an organisation that aims to support local independent businesses by promoting them through its website, social media, and events. They also have an app that allows users to find independent businesses in their area and access exclusive discounts and deals. By shining a light on independent businesses, It is helping to create a supportive community that values local businesses and helps them thrive.

The initiative has been successful in encouraging people to support independent businesses. Over the years, thousands of people have visited independent businesses through the initiative, and the number continues to grow. By supporting Independent Birmingham, people are supporting the local economy and helping to keep the city’s character and charm intact.

In conclusion, Independent businesses are an essential part of Birmingham’s character, and they deserve our support. By supporting independent businesses, we can help to create a thriving local economy and keep money circulating locally. Independent Birmingham is an initiative that is doing valuable work in promoting independent businesses and encouraging people to visit them. By supporting Independent Birmingham, we can help to ensure that the city’s independent businesses continue to thrive for years to come.

Independent Birmingham Full Podcast On YouTube

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If you enjoyed this episode why not take a look back at our episodes with

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Andrew Sheridan

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Breaking Bread Podcast- The Podcast For Food Lovers In Birmingham

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Tiger Bites Pig

I’m not sure where this steamed Bao revolution in the UK has come from, it feels like since discovering ‘Dim Sum Su’ and her amazing bao at Digbeth Dining Club a year or so ago, bao are now popping up everywhere. My Instagram feed is full of them, which If you love them as much as I do is no bad thing.

Lately most of the pictures clogging up my timeline and making me drool are from the recently opened ‘Tiger Bites Pig’ on Stephenson street. Now I may not know where this new-found bao popularity has come from, but there are two things I do know. I know that the name of the restaurant originates from Taiwan where in some parts, the popular steamed buns were known as hó˙-kā-ti (Tiger Bites Pig) This was because of the mouth like shape of the bun and its filling which was usually pork belly.

The other thing I knew, was that I just had to try this new addition to the independent food scene in Brum. So, one Thursday lunch time that’s what I did, and I was not disappointed. The petit restaurants interior is minimalistic but that really doesn’t matter, as it is the amazing food that does all the talking.

The menu has five different bao and some rice bowls and an excellent selection of interesting drinks of both the soft and alcohol variety. In the interest of been able to write a decent review and being a greedy so & so, I ordered four bao, and a bottle of the very refreshing peach and green tea firefly natural drink.

The smell of the food being prepared in the open plan kitchen invades the restaurant making my belly growl and making me salivate in anticipation of what’s to come.

Braised short rib with chili, black vinegar, shitake mushrooms and cured egg yolk inside a cloud like steamed bun which was light, delicate and everything a good bao should be is the pick of the four. Although the other three were so good, it was near impossible to choose a favourite.

Tender and succulent slow cooked red pork belly with the most amazing texture is accompanied by slightly sweet pickled mustard greens topped with peanuts which provide a delicious crunch.

Perfectly cooked juicy slices of double cooked duck with water spinach and some fantastically fragrant XO sauce which took the bao to a whole new level, the same way that the heavenly crispy sesame chicken skin that topped the white chicken, spring onion and ginger dressed in Sichuan chili oil bao did. That crispy chicken skin will haunt my hungriest memories for ever, it was incredible.

Tiger Bites Pig is a fantastic addition to the ever-growing list of amazing new openings in the city centre, and even though I’m counting down till my next visit here, I am quite glad I don’t work in the city centre as I would be here every day leaving my wallet light and my waistline bao like, it really is that good.

Breaking Bread Podcast, the podcast all about food