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John Lewis Birmingham

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farmerdave

farmerdave

master brummie
Vivienne14's super high-resolution photograph of Birmingham (thread Birmingham Panoramic) showed a John Lewis building in the foreground. I hadn't realised that there was a John Lewis in Birmingham but a look on the internet shows that it does not open until 24th September this year. It certainly looks an interesting building and I guess that it will be very welcomed in Birmingham. Perhaps Birmingham is even approaching the "poshness" of Solihull, who have had a John Lewis for many years. Grateful for any photos of the building as it develops, if you think that they will be of interest to the Forum. Dave


From the John Lewis website:

The old Pallasades shopping centre is being completely redeveloped to house a state-of-the-art precinct, to be known as Grand Central Birmingham. We’re excited to be the anchor store, and with 250,000 square feet of retail space, it will be one of our biggest shops outside London.

Opening Thursday 24 September 2015
 
farmerdave said:
Has anybody been there yet? Dave.
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Yes I went up Thursday when Grand Central opened, plus went up again yesterday (Sunday) with my wife to see New St station, Grand Central, John Lewis etc.

John Lewis is huge, on 4 floors, with a massive range of stuff to buy. Well laid out, lots to see and do, and you could spend ages in there.

However (and this is no criticism) if you have been to one John Lewis you have been to them all.
 
As you walk down Navigation St it looks very impressive. I was going to call in The Station for a beer but it was closed does anyone know if it's reopening and if so when?....
 
the smiths said:
I was going to call in The Station for a beer but it was closed does anyone know if it's reopening and if so when?....
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I am not really a "pub" person but I am not aware of a pub called "The Station" in the area, or do you mean "The Railway" on Hill St?

Have you tried to Post Office Vaults pub nearby, in Pinfold Street?

They do a whole range of quality beers and ciders.

Note sure why the address on the web site below says 84 New St as I am sure the entrance is on Pinfold Street (unless there is also an entrance on New St I have never noticed)

https://postofficevaults.co.uk/index.php
.
 
the smiths said:
As you walk down Navigation St it looks very impressive. I was going to call in The Station for a beer but it was closed does anyone know if it's reopening and if so when?....
Click to expand...

I think you might mean The Crown?
I used to go there in the early 70's on Tuesday nights when the club Henry's was run in the rooms upstairs.

When I was last in Brum I noticed it had closed, I'd be interested to know what's going to happen to it too.
 
Thank you for the link Guilbert53 and information looks well worth a visit.

The Crown that's the one Sparks but I'm sure it was called The Station in the Sixties.
I'll stand to be corrected though.
 
I've not been to Grand Central or John Lewis (yet). But may have a look at the weekend.


This is The Railway on Hill Street




Is a new bar called All Bar One at New Street Station




Is mostly cafes and restaurants on the New Street concourse (and above at Grand Central).


And yes unfortunately The Crown closed down due to a proposed Japanese development of a hotel behind it. (currently a car park)
 
I went up the ramp to look at Grand Central. It is light and bright but I found the smell of food overpowering! It was like burnt fish, plus all the spicy stuff and curry which I'm not keen on. (I know I'm in a minority, most of the family love it!) I prefer shops to smell fresh and clean.
I will go for a better look when the excitement calms down.
rosie.
 
Just back from a visit to Brum. Great time. weather good also went to GRAND CENTRAL quite a feat for Brum. BUT very Yankee styled not sure about that! But then progress I guess? John Crump OldBrit back in Parker Colorado USA20150927_150437.jpg
 
Yes Oldbrit / John Crump we have had a lot of September sunshine in Birmingham lately!

Were you here while the Birmingham Weekender was on?


Projects like Grand Central will get the Chinese interested in investing in Birmingham's buildings.
 
England Sept 2015 040.JPGYes I was there for two weeks, staying with family in Clent. One of the highlights, was of course meeting once again my old,(NEARLY as old as me!) friend from my band days, EDDIE (TED) HAYNES. Great times. John Crump now back in Parker. Colorado USA
 
oldbrit said:
View attachment 101435Yes I was there for two weeks, staying with family in Clent. One of the highlights, was of course meeting once again my old,(NEARLY as old as me!) friend from my band days, EDDIE (TED) HAYNES. Great times. John Crump now back in Parker. Colorado USA
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Really wonderful to meet up with you John, after so many, many years. Old friends, and old memories. I could have talked for hours. It was also great meeting Marcia, your lovely wife.

Caught up, birthday wise, as I am 82 today, and so sorry that you had to leave, otherwise we could have had a great big celebration. Talk to you soon,

Eddie
 
Been to John Lewis today. It was quite busy!

Nice views of Station Street and Hill Street, although the view was obscured by the coloured textured windows.


I'm sure you could probably get most of the items there on the John Lewis website https://www.johnlewis.com/ and get them delivered to your home.
 
John Lewis on the media eye opposite the Bullring






John Lewis sign below Grand Central - close to Stephenson Street exit

 
Was surprised at that, It must be in one of the best positions of all their stores, and on the couple of occasions I have used it the staff have been very helpful. Would have thought the Leeds store (almost empty every time I have been near it, though admit that is not often) would have been a better candidate for closure
 
If they can't make a brand new (5 years) store pay in central Birmingham, I doubt if they have a chance anywhere. More nails going into the High Street retail coffin everywhere. I haven't been into Birmingham since Grand Central was built, but I would imagine that is going to make it look a bit bare. :(

Maurice :cool:
 
According to the BBC web site:
John Lewis said department stores in Birmingham and Watford will not reopen as the coronavirus lockdown eases. It also plans to shut down its At Home stores in Croydon, Newbury, Swindon and Tamworth and travel sites at Heathrow airport and London St Pancras.
I am not sure population size is involved, maybe more like population make up.
 
once a busy vibrant full of lifes characters shopping area that was a joy to shop in i am afraid the city is rapidly turning into a ghost town..boring as well as everywhere looks the same...it really started when the new metro lines were being laid...many shops along the routes closed...my thoughts are that the plan is to turn the centre into more of a social place for eating and drinking geared up for the young.. and to build many more high rise buildings that will most likely lie empty for years...soon the little outdoor market and the indoor market will go marking the end of era leaving the elderly knowhere to shop apart from places where they have to try and negotiate lifts and massive escalators:( just my opinion but there again i am an old brummie who remembers how it was back in the day.. always said i am not against change it has to happen but it seems that the citys planners have given no thought to the eldery and disabled people of this city...only time will tell

lyn
 
oldbrit said:
This is happening all over the USA Big name stores closing down. Huge malls closing Internet buying?
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Internet purchases have been on the increase for while it appears, however lockdown has been a reason for many to turn to the internet I have my groceries delivered now and rarely go into a shop, but that is due to our age more than choice.
The last few years has been a boom time I think and many shops opened and others expanded, now is the time of reckoning.
Off topic I know, but all those glass office blocks in Birmingham will be unused if the trend for home working continues. It is easier to heat and light someones house than an office and the employee has no travel expenses. I renewed my car insurance today and the young woman was at home.
 
The bricks and mortar (or mainly concrete) end of the retail trade seems to be very short-sighted when in comes to borrowing huge sums of money to build retail shops and malls. The writing has been on the wall for many years, long before the advent of coronavirus, and only last week the owners of a group of large shopping malls, including the one in Manchester, went into administration. Do these people look no further than the ends of their noses?

The penultimate multi-floored department store in Bournemouth closed last September (to be converted into flats) and the last one has been in administration for quite some time. Boots has announced the closing of 48 stores today, and there are many more such instances throughout the country and, as oldbrit has pointed out, in the USA as well. More and more people have been successfully working from home for months and that trend will continue. Which leads me to my point..........

Is the huge investment in Birmingham's tram infrastructure and rolling stock justified when you look a few years down the line? Answers on a post card please. Oops, they don't make them any longer! :scream:

Maurice :cool:
 
Radiorails said:
Internet purchases have been on the increase for while it appears, however lockdown has been a reason for many to turn to the internet I have my groceries delivered now and rarely go into a shop, but that is due to our age more than choice.
The last few years has been a boom time I think and many shops opened and others expanded, now is the time of reckoning.
Off topic I know, but all those glass office blocks in Birmingham will be unused if the trend for home working continues. It is easier to heat and light someones house than an office and the employee has no travel expenses. I renewed my car insurance today and the young woman was at home.
Click to expand...
RR I think you are spot on about those glass office blocks, as in the US and I am sure most industrialized countries. I was was watching a business show a few days ago and one of the panel seemed pretty smart and rational said that regarding working from home we are now where we thought we would be in 2024 because of COVID.
if you have any investments in commercial real estat, I would get out before that day of reckoning is upon us and it’s coming very quickly!
Apologies for being off topic......
 
sospiri said:
The bricks and mortar (or mainly concrete) end of the retail trade seems to be very short-sighted when in comes to borrowing huge sums of money to build retail shops and malls. The writing has been on the wall for many years, long before the advent of coronavirus, and only last week the owners of a group of large shopping malls, including the one in Manchester, went into administration. Do these people look no further than the ends of their noses?

The penultimate multi-floored department store in Bournemouth closed last September (to be converted into flats) and the last one has been in administration for quite some time. Boots has announced the closing of 48 stores today, and there are many more such instances throughout the country and, as oldbrit has pointed out, in the USA as well. More and more people have been successfully working from home for months and that trend will continue. Which leads me to my point..........

Is the huge investment in Birmingham's tram infrastructure and rolling stock justified when you look a few years down the line? Answers on a post card please. Oops, they don't make them any longer! :scream:

Maurice :cool:
Click to expand...
Absolutely Maurice, and when they go into administration or bankruptcy in the US its the tax payer that gets hit in the shorts and banks et al right off bad debts!
 
Thanks all for contributing to this thread. It’s now run it’s course so will be closed for further comment.

Members who have contributed may receive a message saying a new thread has been started on this subject, but it hasn’t it’s just been moved to the General Discussion section, so thinks it’s a new thread !!

Viv.
 
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