Dockworks Waterfront marks six months of success with culture, food and business collaborations

Digbeth Dining Club’s newest food and culture venue has marked six months of business in the West Midlands with the unveiling of a new art space curated by noted creative brand Black Country Type.

Dockworks Waterfront, based in the industrial West Midlands heartland of Dudley, has collaborated with BCT artist Tom Hicks to create and curate a dedicated area showcasing art by local creatives.

As well as featuring Black Country Type’s signature work using words, typography, handmade lettering and signs, the venue gallery and exhibition space includes creations by Claire Buckerfield, General Blimey, and Bag Lord.

The artists featured work across 2D and 3D drawing produced with non-traditional drawing materials, digital art focussing on spaces and objects of the everyday rituals and routines, and painting and drawing exploring the myth and politics of the everyday through symbolism and fantastical narratives, respectively.

Dockworks Waterfront is increasingly being used by local businesses, artists, creatives, food traders and community organisations, with a focus on culture and togetherness.

Tom Hicks, Black Country Type, said: “It is exciting to be invited by Dock Works to curate artworks for its new space at the Waterfront.

“DockWorks has shown a real commitment to the idea of showcasing work by talented contemporary artists from the Black Country.

“I’ve worked closely with DockWorks for a long period, visiting the building as plans were being drawn up for the new venue.

“One of my key aims is to work with artists who create work that celebrates the culture and atmosphere of the region.

“With this in mind, my first selection contains abstract drawings by Claire Buckerfield, digital art by General Blimey and paintings by Bag Lord. These are displayed

alongside my own photographs of the Black Country”.

The 7,000 square foot former steelworks site in Brierley Hill, reimagined with a £500,000 refit earlier this year, has developed its identity, events calendar, and food and drink offering through months of consultations and dialogue with local residents and visitors.

Dockworks is now recognised as an established popular West Midlands destination for food, drinks, and entertainment, presenting a wide range of events including regular monthly markets, bingo nights, game-show-style quizzes, live DJs, sports screenings, and talks.

James Swinburne, co-founder and director of Digbeth Dining Club and Dockworks Waterfront, said ”From the outset of planning Dockworks, we have made sure a strong focus on the Black Country identity is part of our everyday business.

“Through local partnerships we are supporting and understanding our community, rather than simply being just another food and drink venue in the region..

“Our events programme continues to grow, with new offerings and collaborations being added to the calendar regularly; we are working hard to ensure the DDC model in Brierley Hill really does have something for everyone – from young families to older music fans, food aficionados to craft beer devotees.

“We’re grateful to the local partners and supporters, and of course all who have visited Dockworks in our first six months, for helping us to shape a model that is right for the area.”

In addition to supporting scores of the region’s best established street food businesses with regular on-site trading weekly opportunities between Thursdays and Sundays, DDC is also supporting a new generation of food creators at Dockworks Waterfront.

The marina-side venue is prioritising local makers, small businesses, and independent traders via regular dedicated events, including Black Country Day, bringing together the community in a celebration of the area.

Dockworks Waterfront now also partners with the Black Country Food Network, strengthening Dockworks’ connection with the region’s independent food scene, and the Black Country Chambers of Commerce to provide space for mixer and networking events, alongside corporate, private and commercial hires.

The Dockworks has also become a collection point for the Black Country Foodbank, creating another useful connection with the local community.

For more information, including food traders and event listings visit the DDC website here.