Zara to upsize shop at Bullring and Grand Central

Zara will significantly upsize its store at Bullring and Grand Central, as part of the repositioning of the Birmingham city centre asset and the repurposing of a former department store space. 

In a move that completes the repurposing of the former Debenhams, Zara is taking the top floor above M&S and Toca Social, plus an adjacent two-storey unit on Bullring’s upper level. 

This will create over 51,000 sq ft of shopping space that will elevate Zara’s presence in Birmingham. 

The two new stores will showcase its full range of womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, and will feature an “Automated Collection Point”, self-service and dedicated refund tills to deliver a seamless customer experience. The renewed commitment follows the opening of Inditex brands Bershka and Pull&Bear at Bullring last year.

Joining Zara this year are Swiss watchmakers, Swatch, global footwear brand, Clarks, Mexican restaurant brand Zambero, and independent retail brand Pop Street.   

In parallel to the retail and entertainment offer, the focus on placemaking has been instrumental in changing the perception of Hammerson’s assets from places where customers come only to shop, to destinations offering entertainment, leisure, social and lifestyle experiences.

Highlights include Late Night Out which transformed Bullring into a late-night live entertainment venue, a new Club Paradiso Ibiza themed summer pop-up bar and the return of the B Side Hip Hop Festival and Birmingham Weekender.

Toby Tait, director of asset management at Hammerson, said: “The strategic repositioning of Bullring and Grand Central has seen us introduce key brands, new concepts and events to the destination. 

“As a result, we have driven footfall and sales for our occupiers year-on-year and continue to attract best-in-class brands partners. Zara’s reinvestment alongside exciting new concept stores from Swatch and Clarks demonstrates the appeal of Bullring and endorses the success of our strategic focus.”