Community Plaza Opens in Bordesley Green: A Beacon of Hope Against Crime and Inequality
Bordesley Green, Birmingham — 5 September
A powerful new chapter has begun in Bordesley Green with the official launch of Community Plaza, a community centre designed to tackle inequality, reduce crime, and bring people together — and the first to open under the Community Plaza™ national franchise and licence model.
The launch night attracted over 250 local residents, families, and community leaders, creating an atmosphere filled with optimism, unity, and purpose. Among the distinguished guests were West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who also presented Mohammed Zafran with his 50th Golden Achievement Award on behalf of Asian World Newspaper, Alan Edwards, Regional Manager for West Midlands Crimestoppers, MP Ayoub Khan, and guest speaker Wajid Burkey of Burkey Estates.
A National Brand With Local Roots
Community Plaza™ is the brainchild of Sajad Khaliq, the brand owner and founder, a respected media tycoon who has run a local, award-winning newspaper for the past 19 years. Drawing on nearly two decades of grassroots reporting, community advocacy, and social impact work, Mr Khaliq developed Community Plaza as a franchise and licence-based model, enabling trusted local leaders to deliver high-impact community services under one nationally recognised brand.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Khaliq said:
“This is not just about one building or one postcode. Community Plaza is a blueprint for change — a model that allows proven community leaders to replicate real impact across the country.”
Franchise Awarded on Proven Impact
The Bordesley Green Community Plaza CIC operates as a licensed Community Plaza™ franchise, awarded to Mohammed Zafran and the local director team based on his demonstrated track record of social impact.
Mr Zafran was granted the franchise following his claim of supporting more than 44,000 individuals into education, employment, and training, alongside his receipt of over 50 national and regional awards recognising his long-standing contribution to youth development, crime prevention, and community cohesion.
Founder Sajad Khaliq explained the decision:
“Community Plaza franchises are awarded on credibility, commitment, and impact. Mohammed Zafran’s work over the past 15 years, and the scale of lives he claims to have supported, aligned with our values and our ambition for the brand.”
Leadership With Lived Experience
Speaking emotionally on the night, Mr Zafran reflected on his journey:
“I’ve worked with young people who were broken, lost, and ready to give up. I’ve seen families torn apart by gangs and crime.
Community Plaza allows us to scale this work, reach more people, and create lasting change. This centre is about saving lives, building confidence, and ensuring no young person feels forgotten.”
Mr Zafran also serves as Chairman of Crimestoppers, further strengthening the centre’s focus on crime prevention, safeguarding, and community trust.
Celebrating Local Heroes
The evening also recognised individuals already making a positive difference. In partnership with Asian World Newspaper, the UK’s largest award-winning South Asian publication, Community Hero Awards were presented by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Head of Crimestoppers, highlighting those who have gone above and beyond to support the Bordesley Green community.
A Place for Everyone
Thomas McGeever BCAc, Director of Community Plaza Bordesley Green CIC, said:
“The turnout tonight proves how much this centre matters. Community Plaza is the heartbeat of Bordesley Green — and now it’s time to turn that heartbeat into action.
This is a place for everyone. No matter your age, background, or circumstances — you belong here.”
What Community Plaza Offers
Community Plaza has been created to meet real, identified community needs, including:
Youth engagement and mentoring programmes
Knife crime awareness and prevention workshops
Women’s coffee mornings and support sessions
Equality, confidence, and empowerment initiatives
Health and wellbeing support for families
Skills development, employability, and training workshops
Recreational activities such as pool, snooker, table tennis, darts, and gaming
A hot food kitchen designed to bring people together
Looking Ahead
Closing the event, Sajad Khaliq outlined the wider vision:
“We are not here for a quick fix. Community Plaza is a long-term investment in people. Through our franchise and licence model, we aim to open centres across the country — led by individuals with proven impact and strong community trust.
Bordesley Green is the first step in what will become a national movement.”
With its doors now open, Community Plaza Bordesley Green stands as both a lifeline for local residents and the flagship of a growing national Community Plaza™ network, built on accountability, opportunity, and hope.