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Top stores queue up to set up shop at Birmingham's £150m Grand Central

A line-up of premium stores will join John Lewis in Birmingham's new £150million Grand Central shopping complex when it opens in September.

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Around 50 million shoppers and commuters are expected to walk through the doors of the centre which sits above the revamped New Street Station every year.

Joining 'anchor store' John Lewis, will be top names including Foyles, The White Company, Hobbs, Joules, Kiehls, Cath Kidston, Pylones, Neals Yard Remedies, Paperchase, and Mica Beauty

Among the many restaurants and cafes will be Fuel Juice Bar, Caffé Concerto, Tapas Revolution, Pho, Tortilla, Giraffe, Square Pie and Yaki Nori.

Keith Stone, Grand Central leasing director said: "The desire from these premium retailers and eateries to invest in the city shows that Birmingham is now a national retail destination.

"Being situated above New Street Station will make Grand Central the ideal location for leading brands and extremely convenient for people, offering a unique shopping and station experience.

"The retail industry is very quickly seeing the value of transport hubs becoming shopping destinations and Grand Central is expecting to attract around 50 million shoppers and commuters a year, both locally and from across the country."

In total, Grand Central will offer nearly 500,000 sq ft of shopping and dining space.

One of the largest John Lewis shops outside of London, the Birmingham store's floor area will cover 250,000sqft – the equivalent of three and a half football pitches.

The shop will be the business' first full-line department store to open in four years and represents a £35 million investment, bosses say.

Recruitment for positions at the store, ranging from sales assistants to stock and catering roles, has now begun.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore said: "The scale of John Lewis' investment in Birmingham demonstrates real commitment to the city and clear recognition of Birmingham's growing role as a leading destination outside of the capital – for business, leisure, and tourism.

"Not only will John Lewis - as anchor tenant in the Grand Central development - play a key role in regenerating the south side of the city, but by providing more than 650 new jobs for local people, the shop will also have a positive impact on the future of hundreds of the city's residents and their families."

As work nears completion on Grand Central and New Street station, the summer months will bring a hive of activity with the new concourse being fitted out with finishes to the waiting rooms, shops and public facilities.

A stunning glass atrium, which covers the size of a football pitch, will greet visitors to the station.

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