As the shape of Grand Central shopping centre starts to make its mark on the Birmingham city skyline, restaurants and cafes are also lining up to make their debut in the city, alongside the first confirmed shops – The White Company, L’Occitane and Kiehls.
The news that 80% of floor space in the shopping centre is already signed, or under offer, is however accompanied by the announcement that Grand Central, situated directly above the rejuvenated New Street station, will now open in 2015. It had been hopd that Grand Central would open in Autumn 2014, but a clearer picture of the duration of the project has now emerged, forcing the delay.
Leasing Director for Grand Central Keith Stone said: “‘We’re delighted to be bringing so many exciting new restaurants and cafes to Birmingham, along with the first stand alone store in the city for The White Company, which will enable them to showcase a more comprehensive product range to West Midlands customers than has previously been possible. The White Company are also soon to be joined by many other retailers new to Birmingham.”
Restaurants and cafes
Of the first nine restaurants and cafes to exchange, six are new to the city, with most currently only found in London and the South-east, and keen to showcase their taste and style of dining in Birmingham.
Vietnamese street style restaurant Pho will be opening with a great location overlooking the hustle and bustle of the station concourse below: the perfect setting for their healthy and authentically prepared Vietnamese dishes.
They will be joined under the stunning glass atrium by Spanish restaurant Tapas Revolution, where 28 year old chef and winner of Acorn’s ‘Young Star of the Future’ award 2012 Omar Allibhoy aims to share the everyday, authentic eating habits of his life in Madrid with you.
The luxurious Italian restaurant Caffe Concerto will also offer customers not only a vibrant and delicious dining experience, but also some of the best seats from which to relax and watch the world go by, with tables looking down onto the concourse and also right across the stunning open vista created by the atrium.
Shoppers seeking a more varied cuisine when Grand Central opens its doors will be able to sample the delicious fayre of Mexican restaurant Tortilla, home of tacos and burritos which can be eaten in or taken away.
Also new to the city are Crepe Affaire, who will be joined in the Grand Central restaurant line-up by Yo! Sushi, Carluccios, Fuel juice bar, and Giraffe.
It is expected that the exact opening date for Grand Central will be confirmed in early 2014 once the project’s key engineering milestones have been achieved.