The Bullring is to spend millions on creating an after hours food destination, attracting up and coming restaurants to part of the shopping centre site.
It has unveiled plans for a new 20,000sq ft complex, which will contain three new restaurants as well as public space.
It is understood the Bullring is keen to attract independent restaurants or new brands of eateries to the site, which will see the back of the mall at St Martin’s Square be transformed into a “restaurant quarter”.
The Bullring is already home to some chain restaurants but these are only accessible to shoppers in the daytime. The new development will be available for diners after shopping hours.
News of the new complex comes as celebrity chef Jamie Oliver plans to open his new restaurant Jamie’s Italian opposite the proposed site next month.
Developers Hammerson is in charge of building the complex, which will be called Spiceal Street.
The name comes from the 18th century street which stood on the site and was famed for its spices, grocery and meat trade.
Bullring bosses are now waiting to see if city planners back the plans.
The development will include the replacement of steps leading up to the upper levels of the centre and Gloria Jean’s Spiral Cafe, which will both be relocated.
There will also be improved pedestrian links between St Martin’s Walk and St Martin’s Square.
Lawrence Hutchings, Hammerson managing director for UK retail, said: “Spiceal Street will enhance Bullring’s presence in the region and reinforces our long-term involvement and investment in Birmingham.”
An exhibition is being held at the centre this Thursday and Friday to give the public a chance to examine the proposed construction.
Louise Hamer-Brown, head of marketing at the Bullring, said: “We are delighted to unveil the proposed Spiceal Street development, which we hope will bring new and exciting brands to the city.”
It is not clear yet which restaurants will take up the space or how many jobs will be created.
The exhibition of the plans for the restaurant complex will be in Central Street Bullring from 10am to 7pm on Thursday and 10am to 6pm on Friday.
