New Street Station and Grand Central opening confirmed for September 2015

NETWORK Rail has confirmed that the £600m redevelopment of Birmingham’s New Street Station will officially open in September next year.

The confirmation comes as the atrium roof on the development, which includes the new Grand Central retail scheme, has been successfully lowered into place.

The opening is thought to have been delayed to enable the whole scheme to be opened together, however, the decision means the scheme now won’t be officially complete until after next year’s General Election.

Network Rail said the next key construction milestone for the project involved an extensive demolition programme to remove approximately 6,000 tonnes of reinforced concrete. This will create the new 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.

Nearly 85% of the floor space in Grand Central has now been leased and joining the £35m 250,000 sq ft John Lewis department store (to be known as John Lewis Birmingham) are Joules, Cath Kidston, Fat Face, Jolie Papier and Monsoon Accessorize. They join the already announced Kiehls, The White Company and L’Occitane and will be complemented by an array of restaurants and cafes, most of which are making their debut in the city.

Brands including Giraffe, Carluccios, Caffé Concerto, Pho, Tortilla, Tapas Revolution, Crepe Affaire, Yo! Sushi and Square Pie will be opening at Grand Central, with additional restaurants and cafes available on the station concourse.

More than 50 million people are expected to use the station complex each year and in addition to the 60 shops, restaurants and cafes in Grand Central, the development will include a further 60,000 sq ft of retail within the station.

Keith Stone, leasing director for Grand Central, said: “Grand Central is 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. When Grand Central and Birmingham New Street are launched in September 2015, customers and passengers will see the amazing transformation that will provide a unique shopping and travel experience and a gateway to the rest of the city centre.

“With the vast majority of our retailers and restaurants opening new shops in the city, Grand Central will complement the shopping and entertainment already in Birmingham, making the city centre one of the best shopping and entertainment destinations outside of London.”

Coinciding with today’s announcement, John Lewis has confirmed that Lisa Williams has been appointed to head up its new flagship store.

Ms Williams, originally from Shirley, is currently head of branch at John Lewis High Wycombe and this month celebrates 25 years with the partnership.

Chris Montgomery, project director for Network Rail, said: “The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station will transform the experience for the millions of passengers who use the station every year and allow it to handle the ever increasing number of people who choose to travel by train. This project is also a great example of how investment in our transport infrastructure can boost the economy. The New Street redevelopment, complemented by Grand Central, will improve the city centre environment in Birmingham, creating new public space to stimulate regeneration and create up to one thousand new jobs for local people.”

Sir Albert Bore, the leader of Birmingham City Council added: “The opening of the second and larger phase of Birmingham New Street station will see the completion of a world class station here in the centre of the city and a fitting arrival point for those coming here for business or leisure.

“The parallel opening of Grand Central in time for Christmas will enhance the shopping and leisure offer in Birmingham and will complement the Bullring, Mailbox, independent shops, and the Jewellery Quarter. Grand Central will also be a great meeting point and with the range and variety of new restaurants it will give people an even wider choice of places to dine when they are here in the city for business or pleasure.”