PICTURE GALLERY: How new Bullring restaurant hub could look

THIS week real estate company Hammerson announced it was commencing the long process of building three new restaurants outside the Bullring in Birmingham.

The company, which owns one third of the shopping complex with Henderson Global Investors and Future Fund, is leading the ‘Spiceal Street’ project to revamp the area along the edge of St Martin’s Square.

It will see the creation of a restaurant quarter featuring the three new units, totalling 10,000 sq ft, and an Italian eatery owned by TV chef Jamie Oliver which is due to open this autumn.

They will join existing restaurants Pizza Hut, Nando’s and Wagamama to make up the seven-strong hub. Other work includes a new water feature and pedestrian access while Gloria Jean’s Coffee will be moved elsewhere in Birmingham.

A planning application is due to be submitted to Birmingham City Council before Christmas and an exhibition is taking place tomorrow and Friday at the Bullring.

• Click through to see a picture gallery featuring artist’s impressions of how the area could look if the scheme is given the green light.