Birmingham's Bullring Owners Refine Plans for Former John Lewis Site After £319m Purchase
It has been six years since John Lewis permanently closed its substantial Grand Central store, which was situated directly above New Street station in Birmingham. The prominent retail space has remained vacant since that time, with local residents and business observers eagerly awaiting news about its future use.
Mixed-Use Development Plans Progress
Three years ago in March, property developer Hammerson unveiled ambitious proposals to transform the former department store into a major mixed-use development called The Drum. The innovative scheme would incorporate a distinctive drum-shaped structure capable of accommodating approximately 2,000 people across four separate levels.
Initial projections suggested that The Drum could potentially open to the public by early 2025. The comprehensive development plans include numerous facilities such as restaurants, bars, a dedicated food market, a grocery store, fitness and wellness spaces, event areas, flexible workspaces, and even a wildlife garden.
Recent Developments and Ownership Changes
In August of last year, Hammerson completed a significant £319 million transaction to acquire the remaining 50% stake in both Bullring and Grand Central shopping centres that it did not previously own. This substantial investment provided the company with complete control over both prominent Birmingham retail destinations.
Since September 2024, Hammerson has confirmed that the former John Lewis unit has been completely stripped out internally while the next phases of development were being carefully planned and designed. Throughout 2025, protective hoarding remained in place around the site as behind-the-scenes work continued.
Current Status and Future Timeline
A Hammerson spokesperson recently provided BirminghamLive with an update regarding the current status of The Drum project. The representative stated: "We acquired full ownership of Bullring and Grand Central last year and since then we have continued to refine the Drum scheme and programme. We're looking at options and starting early engagement with procurement, liaising with stakeholders and discussing with prospective occupiers."
The company has indicated that it will provide further updates about the development timeline and specific details when more information becomes available. The spokesperson emphasised that Hammerson is actively working to advance the project forward following the completion of their full ownership acquisition.
While an exact opening date for The Drum development remains unspecified, the company's recent statements confirm that planning and preparation work continues to progress. The substantial £319 million investment demonstrates Hammerson's significant commitment to revitalising this prominent Birmingham city centre location.
