Huge changes in Birmingham city centre shoppers should know about this weekend

If you're heading into the city centre this weekend to get ahead on your Christmas shopping, there are a lot of exciting new features you should know about. It's been a week of significant change in town, both in the Bullring and outside of the main city shopping mall, and we wanted to give you a heads-up on what to expect to help when planning your day.

1) A second Christmas market

As well as the Frankfurt Christmas Market, which has been in full swing for the last two weeks, a second festive market got up and running round at Cathedral Square on Wednesday. Standing seperate from the German Market, this craft event on Pigeon Park features local jewellers, artists and makers as well as a lot of food vendors serving treats you won't find anywhere else in town, to be swilled down with the cheapest market pint in the city.

2) Probably the most exciting shop launch in the Bullring

While smaller sellers are trading their wares there, back at the Bullring the entire west mall has undergone great transformation this week. On Tuesday, Sephora opened in the city, dropping a giant black curtain to reveal the largest Sephora shop window in Europe. More than 2,000 people queued to be there - it was insane.

Read more: New additions to Birmingham city centre extend festivities beyond the German Market

Read more: I walked through Birmingham's German Christmas Market and something felt different

Fans of beauty and fragrance will find sanctuary in the shop, where dozens of gondolas are filled with goodies. That means brands you won't find anywhere else in town - the full list of those can be found here, if you're wondering how it differs from Boots, Selfridges and Superdrug, all of which have vast, impressive cosmetics counters of their own.

3) River Island has upped its game

Meanwhile, next door, River Island has upped its own game. The stalwart of the shopping scene might have been in the Bullring for years, but it wasn't going to be outdone by its snazzy new neighbour.

4) We have a huge replacement for Debenhams

Over the way from Sephora, up on that top floor where Debenhams used to be, Zara has opened a brand new store. The minimalist space looks positively peaceful in comparison to the busy, cosmetics-filled Sephora, with wide open blank spaces to wander through and shop.

Next door, you'll find a second branch of Zara, this one filled with clothing, footwear and accessories for men. We say filled, that's a minimalist vibe too.

5) More Christmas pop ups ideal for photos

Just up the road from the Bullring, at the top end of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, some new additions have popped up to enjoy too. If you're going into town to shop, there are photo opportunities and cosy little must-visits to take note of!