Poor old Five Ways Shopping Centre - built in the early 60s this was originally designed as a…read moretraffic-free piazza with ground floor retail spaces, an indoor market area, a car park on the second floor and the 10 storey Auchinleck House - a statue of Claude Auchinleck (a British army commander during World War II) still stands in the square but you won't be able to look at it these days as the whole space is awaiting demolition. To be honest Five Ways Shopping Centre has always had a slightly derelict feel - during the winter the design of the place meant that it acted as a veritable wind tunnel and for years it hosted a weird array of shops that always seemed a bit empty - although I do miss the greasy spoon caff that was here which was all Formica work tops and unknowingly kitschy shaped sauce bottles. The only thing it houses now are a Select n Save (more on that later), a Boots and load of sad looking empty shops - not somewhere I'd recommend spending too much time in as it can get really dark down there but worth a quick peek.

Grim. The fact that from above it looks like a giant coffin pretty much sums it up. The Five Ways…read moreShopping Centre is now almost completely abandoned, waiting for a natural disaster to come and wipe it off the earth. It sits sadly on a corner, a run down miserable old concrete block acting as a full stop to the overbearing neon and orange spray tan smell of Broad Street. I can't imagine a reason, that anyone would want to visit. There might be a little nostalgia, maybe your favourite newsagent was there... you was a massive fan of that particular Braggs bakery that was there in the late 80's? There was an urban legend that the architect who designed it made it in the shape of a coffin then jumped off the top, providing a suicide/funeral all in one. Maybe they could turn it into some kind of spooky theme park.

Grand Central is my favourite part about Birmingham New Street Station, it is a shopping centre…read morelocated above the train station, which connects into the Bullring (the city's main shopping centre), via a walkway. It can be a great to visit to kill some time before your train, or even to shop while in the city, plus the walkway acts as a cool way of getting to the train station and dogging the rain, of which we get more than our fair share of in the UK! Birmingham New Street Station - https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/birmingham-new-street-station-birmingham-3 Bullring- https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/bullring-birmingham Grand Central opened in September 2015, it still feels new and modern. The stunning balcony, lighting and architecture are nice to admire, and the perfect welcome into one of the country's greatest cities. I loved admiring the view in the dark autumn nights, while sat enjoying a coffee at Joe and the Juice. Grand Central's only flagship retailer was John Lewis, sadly this store has now closed down but there are still a couple of shops located here, which includes Tesco Express, Foyles and Whittard. The selection of food and beverage options is much better including Nando's, Tapas Revolution and Joe and the Juice. There's plenty of other options, including a Natwest bank! 4* - I do think the loss of John Lewis is going to hit Grand Central hard, it's sad to see such a huge empty unit in such a cool building, but it is a great place in the city which many tourists and locals alike are sure to visit, by choice or by chance.

Although not 100% finished, Grand Central really has the wow factor that Birmingham New Street…read morestation has previously lacked. The highlight for me has to the the huge and beautifully designed skylight, positioned right in the middle of the development. This has changed a formerly dark space, into a vibrant hub of cafes, restaurants and shops. Grand Central can only be a good thing for Birmingham, proving the perfect first impression for people arriving in the city.

Great little shopping centre.. Has all the big brands and some high end high street brands too…read more Such as river island, h&m ,primary, etc... Good ample cark parking, its free to park after 6pm most evening. Has pub's. Bars, restaurants also has a Cinema. Free parking voucher when u spend £5 or more on shopping in Tesco.

Newly built shopping complex. 1st time I've been here and to sides to the shopping centre. Good for…read moreparking and wide range of shops all big sizes. Deffo check it out and you can waste hours here also just looking around and eating...

Great Western Arcade is truly a highlight of the City. It's full of quirky independent shops,…read morerestaurants and services. The architecture is stunning and it's clearly well maintained and meticulously looked after. Keep an eye out for events being held here too, as it's a great way to experience this location whilst doing something a little different (so far, I have attended a summer garden party and a silent film screening). Some of the highlights of the location are the Handmade Boutique (where you can purchase something totally unique made in the City - great for gifts), Anderson and Hill (full of delicious local and imported foodstuffs) and my favourite shoe shop in the city, Sims Footwear. Loki is also of note, as it's a wine retailer AND a tasting house (an usual concept worth a try). A must for all visitors and locals alike, pop along to the Arcade and lose a couple of hours browsing, eating and (when you're really worn out from all that shopping) grabbing a couple of beauty treatments at the Spa.

If Paradise Forum looked more like this I'd be sadder that it was being knocked down…read more.. This is a beautiful arcade with lots of boutique business spaces. More recently this has become open in the evening with the likes of Bistro 1847 and Loki Wine changing the mixture of shops and shifting it into the evening. It was bombed in the Second World War and the damage must have been pretty shocking. However the visible scars of war have been long since healed and this remains a homage to Victorian values with beautiful floor tiles and historic railway style lighting which I'd only noticed walking around the balcony at night. Next time you are rushing through to Snow Hill station or chasing down to the post office walk a little slower and take a look at how beautiful it all is. Really

Mailbox Birmingham might not have the fame or crowds of the Bullring, but still, it is a pretty…read morenice and cool addition to the Birmingham skyline, which opened at the end of 2000. The big red building which lights up at night is also pretty cool as it is also home to BBC Birmingham. Many of the retailers here include designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Harvey Nichols so the shopping here has a selection of high-end brands, with the Harvey Nichols store being a new concept store which is probably my favourite branch in their network of stores. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal passes along the back with a number of restaurants overlooking - this means many of the hotels have fantastic views of the canal, including outside restaurants including the likes of Caffe Rouge providing great views of the city in a nice relaxing environment, making it a great place to sit with a drink or some food. It is actually quite nice to wander off Holiday Street across the bridge to get into the mall, taking in the view of the canal where you can then turn right for The Cube or left for the Mailbox, as they are meters apart and do interlink. (The Cube does have better views of the city as a whole though with a 25th floor Marco Pierre White restauraunt!) They also have a big screen here with seats, which they were using to broadcast tennis and I presume they use it for other big sporting events... if Birmingham ever had a football team who have the capability to play in a major game in the future that is. The layout from the main mall into the outside part could be improved, it involves a series of steps or a curved ramp which is actually so close together, I wouldn't feel safe using either in the dark as it looks like an accident waiting to happen. Also home to an independent cinema, this is a pretty cool place - not without its flaws including the lift situation where the Royal Mail lifts are all through a huge heavy door, not making them accessible to disabled people to the point where you come out of the lift, expecting to be going through a service entrance - the fact they still label restaurants which have been closed, some for a considerable length of time on their maps also adds confusion, frustration and disappointment which includes Gourmet Burger Kitchen which closed towards the end of 2018. 3*

The stretch maybe uncalled for but we can never get enough c-span. Do yourself some justice and…read morestretch your imagination.

I think Piccadilly Arcade is the prettiest of the arcades in Birmingham city centre. Whilst the…read moreothers have their fair share of attractive architecture, this one has too but all the retail units are occupied. More on the upmarket side, most of these are independent or at least have an independent look about them. Smithsonia is lovely looking gift store that is the 'go to' place if you have exhausted everywhere else for gifts. There is also a florist, cobblers, a take away cafe, vintage boutique, jewellers, opticians and a beautician to name not all of them. A good place to walk through if you're showing anyone coming into Brum around! On the rare occasion I'm catching a train New Street station during opening hours, a little walk through this quite arcade sure puts a spring in my step.

I mean there are huge murals of people parachuting above your head.....how can you not give 5*…read morebased on that alone..... This pretty little arcade gives the very chain heavy new street area a nice bit of independant charm. Inside you can find shops selling jewellery, flowers, homeware and coffee (faculty). I can't say I have ever purchased anything from here other than many coffees and flowers for a friends housewarming but I have walked through 10000000's of times. I like this place as it gives smaller retailers space in a prime location that im sure is much more affordable than the high street. Everyone who I have ever been served by has alwasy been amazingly friendly and helpful and generally passionate about what they do......and oh yeah there are murals of people parachuting.....did I mention how much I like those haha....

One of the newest additions to Birmingham's skyline, opening in 2010 - this modern and cool…read morecanalside building is 25 stories high and is the final phase of The Mailbox development, which is a slightly larger shopping centre adjacent to this one, also on the waterfront (the other side to the bridge if accessing via Holiday Street) The size of The Cube makes it a great place to grab the floor on floor 25 at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse where you can relax with a drink or some food on its' roof-top terrace with amazing views of the city, to the point I was shocked to find out this is only the 15th tallest building in Birmingham (See separate review) The Cube layout is rather confusing with the main lifts only going to a small number of its' floors meanwhile for the Hotel Indigo floors (23,24,25 including Marco's Steakhouse) you have to go through the hotel its-self, which is located on the seventh floor. There are a few other restaurants around The Cube including Bardolino, an Italian/espresso bar also by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White but the place as a whole might look good but it just feels empty and in a way, it lacks any character in some parts with a good number of empty units and not as much inside compared to The Mailbox. The Cube is a cool, modern addition to Birmingham providing great views of the city if dining on the higher floors and nice canalside views if not - but a slightly confusing layout and empty units which make the character of the place seem like a soulless bowl I feel that lets it down big time. 3*

When The Cube was just a concrete foundation, back to some years ago, I was already curious about…read moreits impressive architecture. Some years later- and already open for visiting- this iconic building still impresses me, but in another way. Despite all advertising and investment done, it seems a dead space during the day. It's a purposed place not just to "transform Birmingham's skyline", as advertised, but also to attract a very selective clientele that certainly approves businesses such as Marco Pierre White's top-roof restaurant, the Brazilian steakhouse Rodízio Rico, the luxury Hotel Indigo, The Club and Spa, among other fine shops. The Cube is also residence and an office building. I'm not expecting to find (now or in the future) some popular chain cafes or/and shops there, but even when I visit ( once and then) the stunning pieces of artwork " The Lovely People", made by the graffiti artiste Temper, it was still really impressive how quiet and empty The Cube is. As a promised to be the new landmark of Birmingham, this wonderful construction planned by famous English Ken Shuttleworth, will shine. No doubts about it, and even if I can't think about plashing out some pounds (yet) at Marco Pierre White's restaurant, there is always a chance of checking the building-from inside and outside. The Temper's artwork is a must and it is spread at the atrium !

A unique concept Harvey Nichols store located in Birmingham's The Mailbox complex - Birmingham is a…read morecity with some fantastic department stores including a Selfridges store which is probably even better than their flagship London - Oxford Street location, but perhaps one of the unsung heroes of the Birmingham department store game is this one. Located over multiple floors, the store is spacious, it feels modern and cool like it has recently been refurbished. They have a nice food selection including a bar and brasserie with a decent menu, although it is a little expensive this has to be expected to a degree as it is more of a high-end store. I do feel to match the high-end nature of the place, the staff could have stood out more and perhaps they could have had more staff members in all areas of the store as coming in on a higher level can sometimes leave someone confused or getting lost, but the store, in general, is pretty decent to navigate for the key areas which are labelled anyway. One of my favourite Harvey Nichol's stores with good facilities and a good location, it stands out also due to its' modern features - but issues with the layout and service hold it back to just a four-star rating and a pretty awesome place to mark my 500th review of 2019.

High end shopping at its finest with what looks like a beautiful setting to eat and drink. Harvey…read moreNichols Birmingham is a shop/restaurant that oozes luxury. This is not a place that I would consider to be 'very me' but after looking around I would be tempted to go and eat here. I hear good things about the food and most importantly hear that there are always good discounts on groupon and other discount site. Ling....(Yelp Discount Queen) if you hear of any maybe we should pay this place a visit ;) I literally loved some of the spring/summer looks on the mannequins. There was a heavily patterned bomber jacket that I would consider not going out for a month to own.......pricy but a lot of the stuff is SO nice that you could be persuaded to part with a large proportion of your monthly wage to own them.....the temptation was real haha. Even though I will not be rushing back here I love that Birmingham caters to the people that want ultra high end and cutting edge brands. Maybe one day one of those jackets will be mine.......one day!