Floor in Birmingham area is hard (8)

I believe the answer is:

astonish

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'floor in birmingham' is the definition.
'astonish' can be an answer for 'floor' (I've seen this in another clue). I am unsure of the 'in birmingham' bit.

'area is hard' is the wordplay.
'area' becomes 'aston' (I have seen 'Area of Birmingham ' mean 'aston' so perhaps 'area' could also mean 'aston').
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'aston'+'is'+'h'='ASTONISH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astonish that I've seen before include "Amaze, astound" , "Greatly surprise, amaze" , "Flabbergast" , "Provoke wonder" , "Startle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Mail.

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