The Exchange, University of Birmingham

23/09/2026

Big Booker news for Booktober! 📚✨

Join author and University of Birmingham Professor Luke Kennard for a conversation about Black Bag, his acclaimed new novel that has just been shortlisted for the 2026 The Booker Prizes.

A strange experiment, a lost actor inside a black bag, and a story that's as funny as it is unexpected.

🎟️ Free tickets can be booked on our website
📅 17 October
⏰ 1 pm - 2.30 pm
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/luke-kennard-black-bag

PLUS don't forget to buy your copy from The Heath Bookshop on the night or before! Just email hello at theheathbookshop .co.uk to order yours!

22/09/2026

Space science, creativity, and plenty of rocket launches 🚀 what a day!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Solar Science for Families. It was fantastic to see families exploring the stories powered by the Sun beneath Helios, meeting researchers, making, creating and discovering together.

Special thanks to our team from The University of Birmingham and the SERENE project for helping us reach for the stars!

Until next time 🌞✨

Photos: Angela Grabowska

21/09/2026

Just two days left to book your mat for Sunset Yoga☀️

Experience Helios after hours in a darkened Banking Hall and wind down your Wednesday with a relaxing hour yoga session.

📅 Wednesday 23 September
⏰ 5.45 pm - 6.45
🎟️ £10 all apparatus included!

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/sunset-yoga

16/09/2026

What story will you discover this October? 🌞⭐📖

Booktober is back at The Exchange with a packed programme of literary talks, creative workshops, family adventures and reading celebrations.

✨ Meet award-winning writers
✨ Explore mythology, Shakespeare and science fiction
✨ Join a book club or reading day
✨ Create poetry, art and fantasy-inspired crafts

Whether you're a lifelong book lover or simply curious, there's something for every age and interest.

Head to our website to book your Booktober 2026 tickets!
https://ow.ly/aXui50ZOpmg

09/09/2026

☀️ Sunset Yoga is back! ☀️

Wind down your Wednesday with this special session beneath Helios at The Exchange.

Instructor Manoj Koeri will guide us through a Sun Salutation sequence beneath Luke Jerram's illuminated work in the Banking Hall.

All levels are welcome, including anyone stepping onto the mat for the first time.

📅 Wednesday 23 September
⏰ 6 pm - 7 pm (please arrive for 5:45)
🎟️ £10, including use of yoga mats and blocks (link below!).

Wind down your Wednesday with this sunset yoga session beneath Helios at The Exchange.

07/09/2026

☕ Explore the history of The Exchange

Many ex-staff members of Birmingham Municipal Bank remember having lunch at Head Office on Broad Street.

In addition to a canteen, the Assembly Room was used for commemorative dinners, banking exams, and special ceremonies. Along the back wall hung a wooden plaque listing all staff members who passed the banking exams, including Lesley Coley, one of the first women to pass!

Lesley is one of many volunteers who contributed to our Unlocking the Vaults heritage project here at The Exchange. Head down to the Vaults for even more stories and memories from their research at our free exhibition.

04/09/2026

📸 Treasures from the Vaults!

Taken on 27th November 1933, this photo shows Neville Chamberlain leaving the Head Office of Birmingham Municipal Bank after its grand opening.

HRH Prince George was also present at the ceremony, and you can still spot the foundation stone with the details of the day on the outside of The Exchange today!

Walk out historic halls and explore the history of Birmingham Municipal Bank in our current exhibition in The Vaults for free Mon - Sat, 8 am - 5 pm - until November 2026!

03/09/2026

Looking for a free family day out this Birmingham Heritage Week?

Join us at The Exchange for Heritage Day for All, packed with activities for curious minds of all ages:

🏛️ Building tours at 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm
🗺️ Family heritage trails
💰 Discover Birmingham Municipal Bank objects and stories with ex-bank employees and volunteer researchers
🎨 Reimagine the Archive family workshop from The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
🔐 Explore the Unlocking the Vaults exhibition

Come along, get hands-on, and discover the stories that helped shape Birmingham.

01/09/2026

🏦 Treasures from The Vaults

These passbooks were used by account holders at Birmingham Municipal Bank from the 1920s all the way up to computerisation in the 1970s, and kept a record of account withdrawals and deposits.

All 72 branches across the city issued passbooks, including the Bournville Works branch for Cadbury employees, and the Head Office on Broad Street (now The Exchange!).

🔎 Get a closer look at our collection of passbooks and other BMB archive objects at the Heritage for All event at The Exchange on Saturday 12th September, drop-in 11 am - 3 pm.

12/08/2026

See the sun like never before - and leave your glasses and colanders at home!

Just in time for the eclipse, we are hosting a very special experience with Helios, our 5 metre illuminated sculpture by .

Featuring a transportive soundscape composition specially created by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson, tonight is all about (safely) gazing at and reflecting on our closest star.

FREE, no tickets needed. Drop in anytime between 6 pm and 8 pm.

☀️