All change at Birmingham New Street station
[gallery] Developers have broken new ground on the multi-million pound overhaul of Birmingham New Street Station and transformation of the Pallasades.
Developers have broken new ground on the multi-million pound overhaul of Birmingham New Street Station and transformation of the Pallasades.
Foundations are now being laid for the city's first John Lewis store, which will eventually create 650 new jobs and boost the local economy by an estimated £25m each year.
Click on the image to the right for more photos
Andy Street, managing director John Lewis, David Higgins, chief executive Network Rail and Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council were at the site to help lay the foundations for the new store yesterday. The 250,000 sq ft department store will anchor an upgraded Pallasades shopping centre.
Network Rail chief executive David Higgins said: "With a new John Lewis and Pallasades coming in 2014, and a state-of-the-art station complete in 2015, Birmingham has a lot to look forward to."
Work to redevelop the Pallasades centre started in 2011 and the demolition of Stephenson Tower earlier this year paved the way for construction of John Lewis Birmingham. Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "A true feat of engineering is taking place on the New Street site to transform the station.
"In the coming months, residents and visitors will start to see the station and the John Lewis store take shape.
New Street station will remain open throughout construction, passengers will notice the first major change in April 2013 when a new concourse opens, the station redevelopment is due to be finished in 2015.
