This city centre passageway didn’t get its name because it was unnecessary!
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“A local phrase says: “There is only one alley in Birmingham, and that is needless.”
But this city centre passageway didn’t get its name because it was unnecessary.
The name is thought to have originally been Needlers’ Alley, a place where needlemakers worked.
It dates from the early part of the 18th century and for some reason escaped the redevelopment of the city centre that removed most alleyways from the map because they were seen as the seedy, scary haunts of robbers and prostitutes.
The alley was described as “a disorderly street” meaning it was full of prostitutes and brothels. But despite many calls for it to be removed in bygone times, it’s still there today.”
From: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/birmingham-street-names-secret-history-14605172