|
Many
independent retailers have had to move to suburbs and villages as
city centre rents go up and chainstores squeeze out the smaller
businesses.
High
street shops are great if you're looking for a cheap, mass-produced
item like this season's most fashionable clothes or ordinary household
basics.
However
if you want to purchase a more unique item, get advice on what to
buy and receive special customer service from staff who are passionate
about what they sell, you'd be better off shopping at an independent
retailer.
Unique
shopping
 |
| Retailers
celebrate with a balloon release |
There
are over 1000 shops spread around Birmingham city centre. To help
you find your way to the independent shops, Be In Birmingham have
launched the 'Unique shopping' leaflet.
Launched
on 28 October 2004, the leaflet lists all the shops who signed up
and shows their location on a map. To download the independent retailers
leaflet and map, visit the shopping section at: beinbirmingham.co.uk.
You can also pick up the leaflet at Tourist Information points.
Don't
ignore the smaller shops
Jenny
Inglis, Birmingham's City Centre Director, thinks promoting the
smaller businesses is very important:
 |
| Jewellery
display |
"I'm
delighted so many independent retailers have chosen to participate
in the campaign. The individual, unique stores in Birmingham are
a vital part of our vibrant and diverse city and it is important
that these retailers receive as high a profile as any other developments
within the city."
So
what do the bigger stores think of sharing space with independent
retailers? Kevin Breese, general manager of Beatties department
store in Corporation Street is pleased:
"With
all the new developments in Birmingham, it's important that we support
the unique shops and independent retailers. [The 'Unique shopping'
leaflet] will give people new incentive to visit the city and let
everyone see another side of Birmingham's uniqueness."
We
visited some of Birmingham's independent shops to have a look at
what was on offer:
| Broad
Street & Brindleyplace |
|
Zen
Hidden among the bars, this sells funky crystals, books &
ornaments etc.
4
The Water's Edge, Brindleyplace
0121 643 3933
|
 |
 |
|
Ethos
Urban
Recently relocated, this florist is in the centre of Brindleyplace.
1
Brunswick Arcade, Brindleyplace
0121 616 6182
|
|
 |
|
Hudson's
Newest branch of this local tea-house and fine food company.
4
Brindleyplace
Original branch:
122 - 124 Colmore Row
0121 236 9009
|
|
 |
|
Numbernine
Swish-looking art gallery opposite the RBS building.
9
Brindleyplace
0121 643 9099
|
|
 |
|
Lee
Longlands
Big furniture store. Look out for the unusual curved window.
224
Broad Street
0121 643 9101
|
|
 |
|
Spectrum
Artist's materials shop hidden in the Fletchers Walk arcade
behind Paradise Forum.
5
Fletchers Walk
0121 233 1780
|
|
 |
|
Oriental
Concepts
Emporium full of elaborate furniture and crafts just off Victoria
Square.
26
Paradise Street
0121 631 6188
|
|
 |
| Piccadilly
Arcade (just off New Street) |
|
Smithsonia
Art nouveau shop selling jewellery and gifts.
10
Piccadilly Arcade
0121 643 9099
|
|
 |
|
Space
Unique clothes for clubbers.
6
Piccadilly Arcade
0121 633 8815
|
|
 |
|
Solo
Fashionable shoes and boots.
8
Piccadilly Arcade
0121 643 7575
|
|
 |
|
Onyx
Jewellery workshop.
10
Piccadilly Arcade
0121 633 8220
|
|
 |
|
Dare
Unusual dresses and accessories.
3
Piccadilly Arcade
0121 633 7261
|
|
 |
| Off
New Street |
|
A
Too
Fashionable clothes.
9
- 11 Ethel Street
0121 643 3989
|
|
 |
|
Autograph
Upmarket menswear.
15
- 17 Ethel Street
0121 633 3450
|
|
 |
|
Tereza
Cosy bridalwear shop on the first floor of the arcade.
Studio D, Burlington Arcade
0121 643 9105
|
|
 |
|
Acid
Test
Men's & women's clothing plus a hairdressers!
33 Stephenson Street
0121 643 6224
|
|
 |
|
Massive
Records
On the corner where Ethel Street meets Stephenson Street.
29 - 30 Stephenson Street
0121 633 4477
|
|
 |
| Queensway
|
|
Nostalgia
& Comics
Emporium near Holloway Circus selling comic and sci-fi goodies.
14 - 16 Smallbrook Queensway
0121 643 0143
|
|
 |
|
James
Pass
Music shop near the Bullring selling instruments and sheet
music.
71
Smallbrook Queensway
0121 643 7623
|
|
 |
|
Callaghan
Gentlemen's tailor.
12
Suffork Street Queensway
0121 643 7334
|
|
 |
| The
Mailbox |
|
The
Art Lounge
Bright space exhibiting and selling modern work, plus coffee
bar.
28
- 30 Wharfside Street
The Mailbox
0121 685 2555
|
|
 |
|
Cloud
Nine
Children's clothes.
22
Wharfside Street
The Mailbox
0121 632 1456
|
|
 |
|
Hall
Of Fame
Memorabilia.
17
Wharfside Street
The Mailbox
0121 226 9176
|
|
 |
|
Table
Works
Modern and classical functional furniture.
15
Wharfside Street
The Mailbox
0121 632 1277
|
|
 |
| More
coming soon! |
|
More
information about independent retailers coming soon.
|
|
 |
Please
telephone to check opening hours before you travel to any of these
shops. Many choose to open later in the day and not all open on
Sundays.
|
