Why thousands of Hongkongers have moved to the Midlands

Thousands of Hong Kong nationals have chosen to settle in Solihull, near Birmingham, since the UK government introduced a new visa in the wake of a controversial Chinese security law.

The BBC went to find out why weather, working culture and soft water matter to the town's newest residents.

Every Wednesday, a large group of Hong Kong expats gather at 852 Spaces Cafe in Solihull.

They chat, play board games and practise halting English with volunteers serving hot drinks.

"We want to provide a safe and relaxed opportunity for Hong Kong people to connect," says organiser Rory Chu.

"We left home, we left our friends, we left our families. We all have trauma.

"But we are here together to support each other."

Thousands of Hongkongers emigrated for political reasons after the Chinese government imposed its stringent national security law in 2020.

The following year, the UK government changed its policy for those with British National Overseas (BNO) status, extending opportunities to live and work in the UK.

According to a report for Hongkongers in Britain, sizeable communities have since clustered around London, Reading, Manchester and Birmingham, totalling about 180,000 people.

The local council estimates between 4,500 and 5,000 have been drawn to Solihull.

Former banker Joey Tam, 42, chose the borough for its schools and low crime rate.

"We've got a daughter who's 14," she says. "The whole education system is very different here.

"It's more relaxed. In Hong Kong it's very tense, a lot of homework, a lot of exams."

Meanwhile, Joanne Wong, 51, followed a friend who sent her videos of the area and helped find a flat.

"When I arrive, I [was] very excited," she says. "It's a very peaceful city."

The council has employed a dedicated worker to help recent arrivals with essentials such as housing, healthcare and job-hunting.

Solihull's Methodist Church, UK Welcomes Refugees, Be Water and West Midlands Hongkongers are among other organisations offering local support.

Despite previously studying in the UK, Joey has struggled to find work and is grateful for the council's advice.

"It is an obstacle for Hongkongers to find the jobs we were doing," she says.

Joanne has had more luck, picking up seasonal contracts in shops.

"[Solihull Council] helped me do the practice before so I learn about interview technique and dress code," she says.

"I think this [is] very good start for me to have work experience in the UK."

With 12-hour days the norm back home, she finds British working life more laid-back.

"In the UK even the manager is very casual," she says. "I really love this culture."

"UK people are very chill," agrees Rory. "Local people, they like chatting.

"[Supermarket] cashiers just stop and chat, doesn't matter if there's a long queue."

He is impressed by his children's teachers who made flash cards spelling out Cantonese words phonetically.

At the same time, he explains, Hongkonger parents are learning to cope without domestic help.

"Many people in Hong Kong have a maid cooking, cleaning, taking kids to school.

"Here we are the driver, we are the teacher, we are the maid, we do everything."

Nearby, the Black Orange café has introduced residents to crispy buns and Hong Kong-style milk tea.

Owners Amy Chen and Marcus Lee first settled in Birmingham, but chose Solihull as a more affordable place to set up shop.

Amy also likes the area's soft water. "It's better," she says. "For drinking and for maintenance."

Previously a flight attendant, she started a business after realising British salaries were lower than those at home.

She and Marcus worked part-time in local coffee shops to learn the ropes and perfected latte art from YouTube.

"We spent a lot on milk," she smiles.

She is also perfecting the art of patience. "Local people tend to work in a very relaxed way but in Hong Kong we are very pushy. We do everything chop chop."

Amy estimates about 60% of the café customers are British: "I wasn't quite sure if they would like our flavours but they do."

Back at 852 Spaces Cafe, held at The Snooty Pooch, Joanne describes Solihull as a friendly place.

"It is a very peaceful city," she says. "If I encounter any problems the local people will actively help me."

Joey broadly agrees: "There is some discrimination but not a lot."

She recalls her father experiencing prejudice when taking the bus into town.

"He sometimes met people who would play pranks on him or say something," she said.

"He's OK because he knows it's unavoidable. We are foreigners come to your place."

Café owner Sarah-Amie Treanor says locals are starting to understand why the Hongkonger community has grown.

"Now it's very positive. In the beginning we did have a lot of questions," she says.

She recruits Hongkonger volunteers and has hosted English language classes.

Meanwhile, Rory teaches British volunteers a few words of Cantonese.

"It helps showing [the Hongkongers] that we do want them here," Sarah-Amie says.

Councillor Wazma Qais says the authority has been "delighted" to welcome Hongkongers to Solihull.

The cabinet member for communities added the community's culture, celebrations and traditions "enrich all our lives and bring our community closer together".

A Mid-Autumn festival was held at Touchwood Shopping Centre last September, an important celebration in Hong Kong's calendar.

Meanwhile, further festivities are planned for Lunar New Year in January.

Teresa Lo helps the council brainstorm ideas to support her community and also volunteers to teach locals about her culture.

She previously worked in finance for an international law firm and has recently secured a job with the NHS.

"Manchester is cold, London is expensive. That's why I chose Birmingham," she laughs.

She is proud to have set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme connecting Solihull flats.

"Long term I will stay in UK. I don't think Hong Kong will be better later."

A few miles away in Acocks Green, Solihull resident Eunice Wun serves up bowls of beef satay and spicy pork macaroni at Café by Hongkongers.

"Local people... I like to tell them what is going on in Hong Kong," she says.

The former investment banker left her city weeks after the visa policy changed.

In the UK she started a YouTube channel, providing tips to other would-be settlers.

"Many customers tell me that because of my YouTube they came here and they came to visit me in my café," she says. "I'm quite happy about that."

On her recommendation, her siblings have also since moved to Solihull.

"It's better than I expected, as the people are so nice," she says.

"I didn't feel any discrimination. I just feel that they are very helpful.

"Hong Kong used to be like this, but it's not now."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.