Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham

Two major shopping malls in Birmingham are connected by a link bridge. They combine to form the United Kingdom's largest city shopping area, the Bull Ring (currently Bullring) and Grand Central.

Big things start modestly. The area originally was called Corn Cheaping. The was a corn market here and there was the bull ring. In the ring bulls were tied to await baiting by dogs and slaughter. This was a savage but popular spectator sport for everyone except for bulls or dogs.

The market became a legal market in 1154 when Peter de Bermingham was granted marketing rights by King Henry II. By the 18th century food, cattle and corn markets were located there.

The market areas had their ups and downs, but world War II was devastating. Revival efforts began in 1955. In 1964 The Birmingham Bull Ring Centre was complete. The Centre extended to some 23 acres with 350.000 square feet devoted to retail trade, and the complex was visited by the Queen.

After more major development Bull Ring and Grand Central opened in 2003 and 2015 respectively. The malls are connected by a link street. Shoppers can move from one to the other without stepping outside.

The Bullring Bull is a bronze sculpture of an aggressive looking bull, as yet unbaited. The sculpture is the work of Laurence Broderick.

The malls are the site of an annual Christmas Market in the streets. The best time to visit is around four pm, when the malls light up in color.