The Best Shopping Destinations in Birmingham
The Best Shopping Destinations in Birmingham
Home to one of the UK’s biggest shopping malls, Birmingham is a famous shopping destination. But with so much on display, how do you choose where to visit? Fear not fellow shopaholics, our Birmingham shopping guide is here to help you find just the spot.
1. Bullring
The Bullring not only attracts a staggering 40 million visitors a year, it's also one of the UK's largest shopping centres in size, boasting over 127 thousand square meters of commercial space.
It is currently home to over 160 stores, including high street labels such as H&M, Zara, Oasis and River Island, as well as designer brands like Reiss, Michael Kors, Ted Baker and Victoria’s Secret. And if that wasn’t enough, when you feel a little peckish, you can pick from 25 different restaurants. Whatever you are after, whatever your taste, you will most certainly find it here.
TIP: Don’t forget to take an Instagram picture with the famous bull sculpture, right at the entrance to the Bullring, as it has become one of Birmingham’s most famous public artworks.
Address: Bullring, High Street, Birmingham B5 4BU Perfect if you love: high street, high-end, and designer fashion Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 8pm, Sun 11am – 5pm Bullring store directory Nearest tube station: Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street train stations Stay near here: Staying Cool at the Rotunda Staycity Birmingham Arcadian Centre Staybridge Suites Birmingham
2. The Mailbox
For shoppers with a more discerning taste, The Mailbox is just the spot. Home to designer brands such as Paul Smith, Hugo Boss, and Armani Collezioni as well as department store Harvey Nichols, The Mailbox mixes the two things fashionistas love the most – fashion and interior design stores.
Address: Royal Mail Street, Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RD Perfect if you love: high-end and designer fashion as well as interior design stores Opening hours: Mon to Sat 10am – 7pm, Sun 11am – 5pm The Mailbox store directory Nearest tube station: Birmingham New Street Stay near here: The Post Box Apartments
3. Grand Central Shopping Centre
Grand Central is the Bullring’s little sister and Birmingham’s newest shopping centre. Anchored by department store John Lewis, it is home to high street and high-end fashion, such as T.M.Lewin, Monsoon, and Hobbs. There are also a selection of cafés and restaurants.
Address: Grand Central, 68A E Mews, Birmingham B2 4XJ Perfect if you love: high street and high-end fashion Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10am – 10pm, Sat 9am – 9pm, Sun 11am – 5pm Grand Central store directory Nearest tube station: Birmingham New Street train station Stay near here: Staying Cool at the Rotunda Staycity Birmingham Arcadian Centre Staybridge Suites Birmingham
4. The Oasis Alternative Fashion Store
If you like your style on the unique side of things, then The Oasis store is just up your street. Over its four floors you will find anything and everything connected to alternative culture, from clothing to jewellery, gaming to piercings and tattoos.
Address: 110-114 Corporation Street, Birmingham B4 6SX Perfect if you love: alternative fashion Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10am – 5.30pm, Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun & Bank Holidays closed The Oasis store directory Nearest stations: Corporation Street bus and tram stops Stay near here: Staybridge Suites Birmingham
5. Custard Factory
At the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter is The Custard Factory, with its colourful buildings, street art, and intriguing collection of eclectic independent shops. Here you will find everything from attractive cafes and clothing stores to art galleries and entertainment venues. If that wasn’t appealing enough, they also have a calendar of events definitely worth checking before your visit.
Address: Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA Perfect if you love: streetwear, unique and vintage wedding, arts, cafes and entertainment Opening hours: depends on store Custard Factory residents directory Nearest tube station: Bordesley train station, Gibb Street bus stops Stay near here: Staying Cool at the Rotunda Staybridge Suites Birmingham
6. Great Western Arcade (GWA)
A grand Victoria gallery, Great Western Arcade connects Colmore Row to Temple Row and its full of high quality independent fashion, accessories and gift stores. Definitely worth a look if not for the stores, for the experience the arcade itself offers, with a very different feel to the modern shopping malls dotted around the city.
Address: Colmore Row, Birmingham B2 5HU Perfect if you love: high quality gifts, fashion and accessories Opening hours: Mon – Sat 6.30am – 10pm, Sun 10.30am – 5.30pm, please note stores might open at different times to the Arcade itself. Great Western Arcade store directory Nearest tube station: Birmingham Snow Hill train station Stay near here: Staybridge Suites Birmingham
7. Jewellery Quarter
As the name gives away, it’s here that you will find an awful lot of bling. As well as boutiques, bars and restaurants, this part of Birmingham is home to the largest concentration of jewellery businesses in Europe and it’s responsible for 40% of all jewellery produced in the UK. So if it sparkles, this is where it lives.
TIP: The Jewellery Quarter also hosts an array of events throughout the year, so check the calendar for what’s in happening during your visit.
Address: around Vyse Street, Birmingham B18 6NF Perfect if you love: jewellery, bars and restaurants Opening hours: depends on store Jewellery Quarter store directory Nearest tube station: Jewellery Quarter train station Stay near here: The Jewellery Quarter Apartments
8. New Street
One of Birmingham’s main pedestrianised thoroughfares, New Street is not only home to high street stores, including Burton, Adidas and JD Sports, it also has the Bullring at one end, so your shopping experience goes full circle to our destination #1.
Address: New Street, Birmingham Perfect if you love: high street Opening hours: depends on store Jewellery Quarter store directory Nearest tube station: Birmingham New Street train station Stay near here: Staying Cool at the Rotunda Staycity Birmingham Arcadian Centre Staybridge Suites Birmingham
Now, if you are looking for a particular store, you can check Birmingham’s shopping directory here. And if you need help walking around the city, this Birmingham Shopping Map will be very helpful. For ideas of further activities and things to do, our Free Things to Do in Birmingham article is also very handy.
Now that you know where most shopping hotspots are, why not come and explore?