AIBU to let you know Birmingham New Street Station is....

[Bea]

... Absolutely stunning!!
Anyone who had to go through the old New Street Station knew how grim it was and didn't help the reputation of Birmingham but if you could see it now!...
Hats off to all the builders architects etc! It is amazing!!

www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/grand-central-birmingham-opens-public-10121923

Back for good... Report back and tell us what you think!!

I used to travel through new street regularly for work. I have fond memories of getting my dinner at the m&s in the station. My main impression of the station was 'the train to blah has been delayed for an hour. We are sorry for the delay'. The announcement seems to go on much more often then any other stations.

What's it like at platform level? The grimmest part of New Street was the diesel fume infested subterranean platforms, have they managed to introduce any daylight to the platforms?

Platforms are still more or less the same I'm afraid. Slightly better access and a bit more white paint.

It's stunning. There are several "lounges" and millions of eateries but no seating in the atrium. Which I think is right really and similar to most big London stations - seating is the other side of the barriers if at all.

I'm off for a poke round John Lewis tomorrow and will have lunch somewhere too. I heard not all the shops opened as planned today though but I'm v local so will probably be there every week. SH goes through every day

See, Birmingham is nice!

Yes! Platforms still pretty much the same! However, think they might be sprucing up... Mrs Seed..?
However it makes coming up the escalator into the new bit all the more impressive!! It's like a magic reveal!!

Amazing but exhaustive. Loved to john lewis too. The lady singng and playing the piano was very good.

Have you seen the new library in birmingham...wow

I loved the old pallasades/Bull Ring
The tacky old white skirt and bri nylon flimsy top combo you could get from practically every shop and the plastic pink shoes. How nostalgic do I feel thinking about it :D

I feel a bit sad about it. I started university pre-new Bull Ring. The grubbiness and smells held a certain nostalgic charm for me as I used the train lots back then.

sharon, glad it isn't just me. The little dodgy shops on the bridge over to the market area... The original home of disposable fashion.

The cafes in the bullring market with the yellow plastic tables and chairs and the smell of deep fried lard. Nom nom!

Ahhh! The smell of the old market... Everything smelt like musty old meat!... Or rotting veggies!! Do u remember the huge concrete old ramp leading to the fruit and veg market?

Mind you its still very much like that in the rag market. I take my kids to see what real Birmingham culture is ;)

Ooh, I was a pre and peri bullring student. Going up for lunch in a few weeks, can't wait to see the new station.

I love Birmingham despite being a country girl at heart and a hardened London commuter now. Although, the standing on the left of the elevators in brim does make me a bit twitchy.

Can't wait to see it. Thanks for posting OP.

By Birmingham New Street Station I sat down and wept

The platforms are being done up, but dont know how long it will take as it has to be done at night. My bit has finished, so i dont have much info,

The library has massively reduced opening due to staff budget cuts.

The new station hasn't increased capacity, I can't help but thinking the whole 'new Brum' is all a bit fur coat and no knickers.

I was there yesterday. It is lovely! Got a bit disorientated though and came out of the wrong entrance. Soon sorted myself out though

Looking forward to seeing it!

We're going into town tomorrow and will have a nosey. Exciting! I do have a soft spot for grimy Brum though, it's all getting a bit shiny. I'll be sad when the old library is knocked down.

Seems like they are doing all the stations at the moment. Will all look grim in 20 years.

Doesn't look great hun I'm afraid.

Kings x and that central one in Berlin are much better modern European stations. Sorry.

I've also been involved in this project - really nice to see the positive feedback!

The station really does look a zillion times better, judging by my flying visit last weekend. Not seen Grand Central yet. The platforms are still horrible, so it's good to hear that they too will be getting a face lift.