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Thursday 31 Jul 2014

Grand Central success continues as September 2015 opening is confirmed

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With the stunning atrium roof above Grand Central successfully lowered into place, the official opening of Grand Central has been confirmed as September 2015.

With the stunning atrium roof above Grand Central successfully lowered into place, the official opening of Grand Central has been confirmed as September 2015.

Nearly 85% of the 1/2million sq ft of floor space has now been taken with Joules, Cath Kidston, Fat Face, Jolie Papier and Monsoon Accessorize confirming their presence alongside the 250,000 sq ft John Lewis and Kiehls, The White Company and L’Occitane in Grand Central.

The opening of Grand Central and John Lewis will coincide with the completion of the world-class Birmingham New Street station which will transform rail travel for millions of passengers every year.

Opening Grand Central together with the completed station concourse will provide an unprecedented customer experience and enable shoppers from across the region and beyond to plan their visit by rail or road, and over 50 million people are expected through the building each year. In addition to the 60 shops, restaurants and cafes in Grand Central, the development will include a further 60,000 sq ft of retail, restaurants and cafes at concourse level.

The shops at Grand Central will be complemented by the best shopper dining offer in the city, with an exciting array of restaurants and cafes to encourage increased dwell time. Brands including Giraffe, Carluccios, Caffé Concerto, Pho, Tortilla, Tapas Revolution, Crepe Affaire, Yo! Sushi and Square Pie have all signed up to Grand Central, with additional dining choices at concourse level.

The next key construction milestone for the project involves an extensive demolition programme to remove approximately 6,000 tonnes of reinforced concrete, to create the stunning atrium space which, on completion, will be the size of a football pitch. Over 95% of the waste material will be re-used on site or recycled.

Keith Stone, leasing director for Grand Central, said: "Grand Central is fully integrated with the modern, redeveloped station which will provide millions of people from across the region with unparalleled access to a range of exciting brands and a premium shopping experience.

“With the vast majority of our retailers and restaurants opening new shops in the city, Grand Central will complement the significant entertainment offer already in Birmingham and elevate the city up the retail hierarchy.”

John Lewis has also today announced that Lisa Williams will become head of branch at its regional flagship department store in Birmingham. Lisa is currently head of branch at John Lewis High Wycombe and this month celebrates 25 years since she first joined the John Lewis Partnership. Born in Shirley, this new role will see Lisa return to her family base in Birmingham.

Lisa Williams, head of branch at John Lewis Birmingham said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking on this new challenge in the UK’s second largest city. I look forward to establishing our regional flagship shop in the centre of Birmingham and in the heart of the local community.

“This new role brings me back to Birmingham where I was brought up and where most of my family and friends still live. I can’t wait to recruit a new team of Partners and reveal the shop to our customers during September 2015.”

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: "The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station will transform the daily journey of millions of people and the project is also hugely important for Birmingham and the local economy upon which thousands of jobs depend. The scale of the new station highlights the ever increasing demand for rail travel across the country and this is just a small part of the £38billion being invested to maintain and enhance Britain's railway network over the next five years - more than has been spent since Victorian times. This Government is delivering a real Rail Renaissance for British travellers.