Full set of artist’s impressions of what Gracechurch Centre in Sutton Coldfield could look like

The full set of artist’s impressions of what a major Birmingham shopping centre could look like have been released. The proposal to transform Sutton Coldfield ’s Gracechurch Centre from a slowly-declining retail spot, into a mix of leisure, shopping and housing uses was hinted at when new owners Birmingham Property Group (BPG) and SAV Group bought the site in November.

Now further details have been confirmed with large parts of the centre set to be demolished and rebuilt with hundreds of homes, a hotel, more food and drink outlets and a better shopping offer. The new owners revealed the middle section of the shopping centre – which currently includes Caffè Nero, Boots, H Samuels, Sports Direct, Costa, WH Smith’s, New Look – will be refurbished and remain standing.

READ MORE: First details of new-look shopping centre plan unveiled with huge rebuild

But the former BHS building, which currently has a Barclays, Pure Gym, Direct Action art gallery and NatWest branch, is set to be demolished. The businesses are expected to relocate within the centre, although that has not yet been confirmed.

A large chunk of the southern section of the Gracechurch, including the block with Beaverbrooks jewellers, Ryman stationers, Claire’s Accessories, Greggs, Pandora and Bodycare, will in time also be redeveloped. That section includes Plantsbrook House, the office block with the West Brom Building Society, the former Molloy’s and soon-to-be Patty Freaks at the bottom. It will not, though, include the building where Nando’s sits ‘due to a culvert underneath’.

The artist’s impressions also show the plan for two new town squares – called Gracechurch and Interchange Piazza at this stage. The latter is perhaps the most interesting as it shows the back of the shopping centre opened up towards the United Reformed Church. While Gracechruch Square is at the southern end and likely to be the last to be developed.

New views show what the centre will look like from Park Road – again high-rise buildings can be seen beyond the car park, with the owner’s representative saying these will have ‘penthouses with views over Sutton Park’. There are shop fronts now facing the new Interchange Piazza, where there are none at present.

Another view from Manor Road shows a series of tower blocks at varying heights and designs, some as high as 15 storeys. There is a noticeable gap between the new buildings showing an access point to Brassington Avenue, where a new Aldi is expected to be built. The shopping centre, with more apartments, would then be more outward, rather than inward facing too.

While an artist’s impression from the northern end of the development down from Mill Street shows the existing Knights House, a former office block and now flats, with a new apartment block behind, around the same height, on the BHS plot – with the shopping centre’s existing middle section remaining beyond.

The new owners of the Gracechurch held a public exhibition/consultation event at the former Office shoe shop, opposite WH Smith’s in Bishops Court last Sunday, and will be doing so again this Sunday, May 5, from 10am to 3pm, where the public can see the plans, ask questions and fill out a survey. Views can also be given online at: https://www.gracechurchplan.com/

And also on this Sunday, during the early May Bank Holiday weekend, the owners are hosting a Royal Food Fest in the town, as well as characters, Cody and JJ, stars of children’s favourite Cocomelon, funded by Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID (Business Improvement District), from 10am to 2.30pm.

Among the food and drink offers will be Disco Fries – with their loaded chips, the Fabulous Fizz Bar, Greek food from Tzatziki, Deli Social, and wine tasting from Buzzards Valley Vineyard. There will also be free giveaways with chocolate from the Military Chef who is opening soon at the centre. And vouchers from the incoming Patty Freaks, opening in Molloy’s.

As well as the tasty treats there will be live music and DJ sets, free face painting from 10am to 30pm, and new outdoor communal dining furniture set to feature at the shopping venue for the summer.