I'm originally from leicester! all the main shops are located on Belgrave road, its just one long road roughly 2 miles long. All stuff available is predominantly from India and u can find some absolutely beautiful stuff particularly the artificial jewellery and sarees. Theres a couple of shops that sell Dulha stuff. cant remember their names but basically if you start from the bottom end of the main rd and work your way, you'll see all the shops. theres a fantastic eating place called "the chaat house", not a flash place at all but it does the best gol guppay and Chaat ever. We've been going there since we were kids and absolutely love it.
let us know how u get on. Glad u had a good time down in brum and honestly u didnt miss a thing not going down Alum Rock!