The Five Ways Clocktower

There is a clock at Five Ways that is several decades older than the one that used to be in the Jewellery Quarter. Dated to 1878, this Clocktower is in front of what is now the Costa Coffee Drive Thru at 60 Calthorpe Road. Grade II listed. Erected to commmemorate the First Coroner of the Borough, John Birt Davies who had served 36 years. Gothic Style with an Iron Square Box on top.

FIVE WAYS CLOCKTOWER

The Five Ways Clocktower is Grade II listed and dates to the late 19th Century. It resembles the Clocktower that used to be in the Jewellery Quarter until the Summer of 2020 (which was erected in honour of Joseph Chamberlain). But the clock over at Five Ways was erected for John Birt Davies, who was the First Coroner of the Borough for 36 years until 1878 (this was about a decade before Birmingham became a City, so was still a Town at this point in time).

Located outside of 60 Calthorpe Road. This is now a Costa Coffee Drive Thru, but when I first took photos of it, it was Solace Spa. Which was an Approved Beauty Day Spa. Costa had an extension built and opened in 2014.

Made of iron, the clock tower has a square box at the top with the four clock faces, and was made in the Gothic style. It has a Finial at the top.

 

2009

The Five Ways Clock seen during May 2009 in a view towards Auchinleck House and the Five Ways Shopping Centre. Lloyds TSB was on the corner of Islington Row Middleway and Calthorpe Road, it is just Lloyds Bank now.

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The following five views below taken in June 2009, by which time I had my first Fuji bridge camera.

This view towards No 1 Hagley Road (Metropolitan House).

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This is the inscription about John Birt Davies. Dated 1878.

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Close up look at the square box and one of the clock faces.

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Close up of the details of the clocktower. The Victorians certainly knew how to build impressive clocks!

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View towards Lloyds TSB and Royal Mail House on Calthorpe Road.

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This evening view of the Five Ways Clocktower during September 2009, towards the Marriott Hotel. I would have been heading to get the no 1 bus.

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This view below taken during December 2009 of the Five Ways Clock, towards Royal Mail House and Cropthorne Court.

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2014 - 2020

Some indirect views years later of the Five Ways Clock. This nightshot of the clock taken with the Marriott Hotel during January 2014. Can just about see the Joseph Sturge statue.

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A February 2016 view below of the Five Ways Clocktower with the recently completed Park Regis Birmingham hotel. Which was a rebuild out of Auchinleck House. The old Five Ways Shopping Centre has been demolished. Sign about the Paradise Circus roadworks which started in January 2015.

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The view from inside of the Costa Coffee Drive Thru during August 2018. There was seating areas inside the house part of 60 Calthorpe Road. Behind the Five Ways Clock was the construction site of The Bank Tower 2.

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From the table I sat in at Costa at the time, I could see the Five Ways Clocktower and Park Regis Birmingham outside. To think, that this used to be a beauty spa only a decade earlier! While I have been back to this Costa since, don't think I've sat in this part again.

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In November 2018, I'd probably just got off the no 1 bus on Harborne Road. And saw this Ellisons Corporate Hospitality coach parked outside of the Costa Drive Thru. The Five Ways Clock seen to the left.

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Over to January 2019, and I was waiting for a no 1 bus on Calthorpe Road, when I saw The Green Bus on the 881 to Handsworth pass the Costa Drive Thru and the Five Ways Clock. From here you can see the Marriott Hotel, No 1 Hagley Road and Broadway Residences.

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A wet and miserable day during October 2020 as I got to Five Ways. Was raining heavily on the walk from The Mailbox via Gas Street Basin and Broad Street. Heading to catch a no 1 bus. Apexhouse, the Costa Drive Thru (which I've not got around to going back to since the pandemic started) and the Marriott Hotel. Not forgetting the Five Ways Clock.

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Update: Site of the Jewellery Quarter Clock

The Jewellery Quarter Clock was removed for repairs on the 22nd August 2020. Click this link to view the post.

On the 2nd November 2020, several days before the 2nd Lockdown began, I got the train up to the Jewellery Quarter, and saw the site of where the clock used to be on Warstone Lane. I meant to go up there the day I first found the pop up cycle lane. At least this time, I saw the site, then saw the rest of the pop up cycle lane from Carver Street. The clock should return here in 2021, fingers crossed.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.