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Tuesday 13 Jun 2023

Final shortlist revealed as voting opens to rename New Street Bull

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North West & Central

It’s the most important public vote of the year - it’s time to name the Commonwealth Games bull before it comes to its new home at Birmingham New Street station.

Nearly 2,000 people submitted name suggestions during the first stage of a competition launched by Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority which ended last week.

Since then judges have poured through the entries and shortlisted them to just four names in the final cut.

Now they’re being put to a public vote which opens today (Tuesday 13 June) so the famous bull can be named once and for all - so it’s time to make your vote count!

The four choices are: 

• Ozzy
• Bostin
• Brummie
• Boulton

There’s just seven days to vote before one of the stars of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is officially named, ahead of its unveiling at Birmingham New Street station next month.

Votes can be cast at wmca.org.uk/NTB until 23:59 on Tuesday 20 June. The bull’s permanent new name will be announced shortly afterwards.

The final shortlisting was carried out by the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, and Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail.

Both organisations have worked together to save the bull and find a permanent home for it in the heart of Birmingham.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail, said: “The response to the competition was amazing with nearly 2,000 people sending in their suggestions. It was an honour to work with the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to choose the final four, but it’s over to the public to make the all-important final decision.

“The bull was an icon of the Commonwealth Games and we just had to save it, and give it a permanent home at Birmingham New Street station.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “So the time has come for people to have their say and choose a name for the iconic Bull that so wonderfully captured the spirit of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Will it be Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton? The choice is yours.

"I cannot wait to see what the public decide they want tourists and local people to call the Bull as they marvel at it in the brilliant setting of New Street Station in the months and years ahead.”

The finishing touches are being made to the bull by special effects firm Artem, which designed and built the much-loved centrepiece to last year's Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony.

Once complete it'll be shipped from its base in West London to the West Midlands and rebuilt on the concourse at Birmingham New Street station.

A grand unveiling will take place ahead of the first anniversary of the Commonwealth Games.

You can keep up to date with all the latest bull news, and the goings on at Birmingham New Street station, by following @NetworkRailBHM.