Shop replaces old Debenhams in Birmingham Bullring and it looks so different
It's been nearly four years since Debenhams closed down and this week, the final replacement began trading in the long-empty space left behind in our city centre. The old department store took up four storeys in the Bullring, with home, beauty, menswear, women's clothing and children's items spread across the entire west end of the mall.
Marks and Spencer moved in to the lower two floors last November, with TOCA Social, a VR football attraction taking up the fourth level. The third floor has had a number of different hoardings covering its windows since May 2021 but now the boards are down, showcasing a brand new shop.
Zara opened its doors to customers for the first time on Thursday, November 14. The new, minimalist store looks 'sophisticated' and 'high end luxury' according to shoppers admiring the new pictures shared by the Bullring on social media.
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As well as the new store, a Zara Man shop has opened in the unit opposite, transforming that corner of the Bullring into a light and airy space. It's quite the difference from how the Bullring looked in the summer of 2023 - check out these snaps.
Unlike Debenhams, which is filled with racks of clothing and mannequins from a number of designers and brands, Zara has laid out its shop in a distinctly minimalist way, with just a few items hanging on rails and plenty of empty space. Like a designer boutique, it's neat and pristine.
In the old Debenhams, Zara's new store features clothing and accessories for women with sections for fragrances, jewellery and footwear too. There's a cool space for children's clothing too, with a clean design and muted tones.
The new Zara launch has brought a lot of joy to Brummies who love Christmas shopping in town. Meshaviola commented on Instagram: "Love it. My hometown city centre is just getting better and better!"
Mim.Izdo added: "Kids section is one of the biggest! It's amazing, with a teen collection that I haven't seen in any other store!" Badgalci04 said: "Oh, it's giving sophisticated and high end luxury!"
Meanwhile, over the way from Zara in the old Victoria's Secret, Sephora opened this week. Hundreds of customers queued throughout the night to explore the single-storey shop, which is laid out with dozens of gondolas packed with bottles, tubs, palettes and components filled with make-up, skincare, perfume and more.