I wrote about how much I hate Birmingham New Street and was warned 'don't'

It was with trepidation and gritted teeth that I clicked on the comments on the story I wrote this week about how much I dislike walking up New Street . I write these kinds of experiential features all the time, including that time I nearly got into a big bost-up on the High Street , the time I fell into a wholesome Disney movie at the market and the time I felt like I was on Better Call Saul down by the Law Courts . But of all of the inner city adventures I've had, no reader feedback has surprised me as much as the comments I got on the story about New Street.

I'd visited on a week day, overwhelmed by competing noises from buskers and preachers, and couldn't wait to get out of there. Like so many other Brummie experiences, I wanted to write about it . I thought perhaps other Brummies would agree that it's a lot to take in, and many did.

Others shared worse experiences, of people weeing in doorways, banging drums and hollering about god over electronic PA system. Read more: I walked along Birmingham's busiest street and couldn't wait to leave Sign up for the Brum Food Club free weekly newsletter for updates on what's happening in the city's food and drink scene . The biggest surprise though? That was the sheer number of people staunchly defending Birmingham from the perceived attack.

I have to admit, I loved how quickly the community sprung to defend my criticism of our busiest public walkway. "This is pretty much the same in cities around the world," Philip Davies told me on.