Wednesday 24 Jul 2013
Journey starts on Birmingham’s Grand new retail destination
- Region & Route:
The major transformation of The Pallasades shopping centre fully kicks off this month, as work to completely revamp it into Grand Central Birmingham gets underway.
Grand Central will be home to a 250,000 sq ft John Lewis shop, the largest outside London, along with over 40 new premium shops and more than 20 new cafes and restaurants.
Most of the shops, restaurants and cafes will be new to the city, and will complement those already in Bullring, Mailbox, and the rest of the city centre.
The development is part of the wider project to transform Birmingham New Street station, situated beneath the shopping centre. The first half of the new concourse opened to passengers in April, marking the half way point of the overall redevelopment. The eagerly anticipated next phase of this important project is now well underway, with works to redevelop the old concourse and create new entrances and public space for the city now taking place.
Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council said: “Grand Central Birmingham is a key element of the redevelopment and vital for stimulating wider economic and regeneration benefits for our city. Up to 1,000 new jobs and many training opportunities have been committed for local people to become a part of this exciting new development.”
To enable rebuilding work in the shopping centre to get underway, outlets within the East Mall area of The Pallasades will close from the end of July. The Pallasades team and Birmingham City Council are working with retailers to help find alternate premises in the city. Other shops in the centre, including retailers on the ramp and Tesco, will remain open and access through the centre will be maintained for pedestrians throughout the works, including access to Bullring and TK Maxx and New Street station.
Jonathan Cheetham, general manager at The Pallasades, commented: “The work going on behind the scenes at The Pallasades is truly exciting and is laying the groundwork for what will be a true jewel in Birmingham’s retail crown. We hope to deliver a shopping centre that excites and satisfies shoppers in Birmingham – both local citizens and visitors to our city.”
Notes to editors
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station and the Pallasades Shopping Centre is backed by Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, Department for Transport, Centro and Advantage West Midlands.
Network Rail is delivering the project alongside its delivery partner Mace.
The new name for The Pallasades, Grand Central Birmingham, was determined following an extensive research and rebranding process which included comprehensive retailer and consumer engagement and testing.
Javelin Group’s research has identified 195 aspirational retailers in the UK that do not have a dedicated store within Birmingham.
Grand Central Birmingham will house:
A 250,000 sq ft John Lewis shop, which will bring more than 350,000 products including fashion, furniture, homewares, beauty and the latest technology.
When John Lewis arrives, it will bring four floors of the best in fashion, home and technology into the heart of the city centre.
Grand Central will also bring over 40 new premium shops into the city, and more than 20 new cafes and restaurants.
The sort of shops which will be attracted into Grand Central Birmingham will complement those already in Bullring and Mailbox, bringing new shops and restaurants into the heart of the city and making Birmingham city centre the place to find everything you need.
Grand Central and John Lewis will also create up to 1,000 new jobs in the heart of the city centre, along with many training opportunities to help local people to become a part of this new part of the city.
Positioned directly above the new station Concourse, the walkways and restaurants of Grand Central Birmingham will be flooded with natural light from the huge glass atrium which sits high above.
Shoppers and visitors will be able to take a break and relax at one of the many cafes and restaurants which overlook the bustling station Concourse below, watching the world go by as they enjoy free WiFi and a great choice of different menus from around the world.
Shops will be encouraged to bring their most exciting and innovative window displays and designs into Grand Central, using the city’s new shopping destination to showcase their goods.
From the outside, visitors to Grand Central will be inspired by the stunning mirror-polished stainless steel façade which envelops the entire station and shopping centre, creating a new landmark building for the city.
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