Birmingham Uni’s Old Joe to be demolished in June 2025 after noise complaints from locals

Today, it was confirmed that the University of Birmingham’s Old Joe will be demolished in June 2025.

This comes following a slew of noise complaints to the uni from local Selly Oak residents.

An email sent to staff announced the decision, and it’s thought students will receive information about the demolition in the coming days.

Old Joe is currently the world’s tallest freestanding clock with the tower being an impressive 99.81 metres. With Old Joe being demolished this summer, the Sather Tower at the University of California will soon be the tallest freestanding clock at 93 metres.

It has been claimed by locals the famous Birmingham landmark creates a high amount of noise pollution and disturbs permanent local communities.

The Birmingham Tab has spoken to various residents in the community who overall seem relieved by today’s news.

Jennifer, a new mother living on Serpentine Road, stated: “Whilst Old Joe is a beautiful landmark, the sound of the clock results in my newborn waking up multiple times a day making it hard as a first-time mom.

“It’s especially hard as my son Arthur becomes irritable as he cannot nap during the day. Especially with the upcoming summer months when the windows of our nursery need to be open, the clock would have been a nightmare for us as a family.”

Edith, an 84-year-old resident who has lived in Selly Oak her entire life, told The Birmingham Tab: “I don’t agree the clock should be demolished, but the university should remove the bells inside.

“However, the peace truly will be a welcome relief.”

A member of staff, who serviced Old Joe in 2022 due to weather issues, told The Birmingham Tab that the demolition may be a blessing in disguise.

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The worker, who wished not to be named, said: “This may have been a bigger tactic from the University of Birmingham, especially with the amount of work that had to be done to it three years ago.

“With the serious wind and water seeping into the clock face, it’s probably for the best in terms of saving money for the university.

“It cost the University of Birmingham hundreds of thousands of pounds a couple years ago just to get the clock face working again after serious weather issues. It’s not surprising that they felt it was best to demolish it, especially with noise complaints they’ve received for years and years now.”

It is believed the demolition is beginning in the early days of June, prior to the majority of summer graduation and the graduation ball.

You should probably check the date, you April fools!