Work has begun to restore Birmingham New Street station's iconic media screens, known locally as the 'eyes', after a three-year blackout. Hammerson, owner of the Bullring, confirmed the screens will be switched back on later this year, stating they will 'proudly light up the city centre once more'.
Details of the Restoration
All three LED screens at the station are set to return. Two of the displays have been out of action since 2023, while the third screen, at the corner of Station Street above the former John Lewis store, has been off even longer. Hammerson announced that works started this week to repair the long-defunct advertising screens.
Background and Campaign
The restoration follows years of calls from BirminghamLive and campaigners for the screens to be fixed. The push for their return was partly driven by efforts to illuminate dark streets in the wake of Katie Fox's tragic death in the city centre, after residents reported feeling 'unsafe'. The screens have been a defining feature of the station since its major redevelopment a decade ago.
Hammerson's Statement
A Hammerson spokesperson said: 'The Birmingham media eyes are coming back. With works starting this week, and a launch set for later this year, Hammerson is investing in state-of-the-art screens to proudly light up the city centre once more.' The Bullring also teased the return on Instagram with an AI-generated video of a famous 'Big Brother eye' and the caption: 'Something's happening. Best keep an eye out.'
