On your Primarks... get set...
There’s so much more to Birmingham’s city centre than the world’s biggest Primark, reports GRAHAM YOUNG
VISITORS to this great city have enjoyed many world-class attractions over the years. But there’s a new one in town, and people are apparently flocking from all over the country to enjoy a day out there... yes, it’s the world’s biggest Primark.
The budget clothing store is officially a tourist attraction. The chain’s new megastore is 160,000 square feet of ‘pile ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap’, spread across five floors of the former Pavilions in High Street. Punters are coming in from as far afield as Scunthorpe and Barnsley, we’re told.
Of course, the would never cast aspersions on the sort of mass consumerism that drives people hundreds of miles for a cheap disposable bargain.
But it would be a shame if our Primark pilgrims missed out on some of the city centre’s other attractions.
Nearby there’s everything from a summer beach to churches, two world class statues, a gym, cinema and much more. So here’s a quick guide to ten things to do within a ten-minute walk of Primark...
There are three places of worship on Primark’s doorstep – handy if you want to combine Sunday shopping with prayers.
There’s the historic St Martin in the Bullring, a Victorian beauty with origins dating back to 1290. The current church was built in 1873 and its city designer, Alfred Chatwin, worked on the Houses of Parliament, too. It was refurbished in 2000 with a tea lounge and healing centre added. The church is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 9am to 6pm for services on Sundays when there’s a 9.30am communion followed by The Crossing Service at 11am.
Nearby, on the other side of Marks &
Spencer, is the brick-finished Carrs Lane Church and Conference Centre.
Although it draws on the traditions of the United Reformed Church and Methodist Church, it offers ‘‘a variety of Christian worship services... with different styles, different times, different days’’.
The main Sunday worship is at 10.30am. A blue plaque reveals why the nearby Dale End is so called. Theologian and preacher Dr R W Dale (1829-1895) was Minister of Carrs Lane Church from 1854 to 1895.
Although Primark opens its doors at 10.30am that’s only for browsing so you could start your day by praying for lower prices over at Carrs Lane instead!
Next door again is the 1803 Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, a Grade II listed cream coloured building.
The original 1726 building here was burned down during the 1791 Priestley Riots.
Sunday Masses are held at 9.30am, 10.30am and 6pm and there are Saturday Vigil Masses at 1.10pm (English) and 6pm (Polish).
Birmingham Cathedral is five minutes’ walk away on Colmore Row (see below). Just yards from the High Street entrance to Primark is a giant bronze bull sculpture.
Officially known as The Guardian, the six-tonne beast is twice the size of a real bull.
In February 2015 it was listed by The Independent newspaper alongside such iconic sights as New York’s Statue of Liberty and Michelangelo’s David as one of the world’s great sculptures.
Sculptor Laurence Broderick said: “I went all out to make sure it was going to be a fantastic bull.
“The idea was to make it special – powerful and strong, everything that Birmingham is.”
Walk down the hill from The Bull towards St Martin in the Bullring Church and you will soon see another famous bronze.
The statue of Nelson is the oldest publiclyfunded statue in the city.
It was unveiled on October 25, 1809 when its sculptor, the future Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856), said: “The hero is represented in a reposed and dignified attitude, his left arm reclining on an anchor.” Come out of Primark’s front door on High Street, turn right and take an immediate left into Union Street. Keep going up the hill, cross Corporation Street, carry on 150 yards up Cherry Street and hey presto!
Welcome to the 304-year-old Birmingham Cathedral, which is surrounded by greenery and huge trees, opposite the wonderful facade of the Grand Hotel, currently undergoing restoration on Colmore Row.
Head inside the cathedral for prayers or simply to enjoy the world famous windows by city artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
Either way, you’ll be glad you made the effort.
Birmingham might be almost as far inland as it’s possible to be in England. But, for this summer at least, you can still go to a ‘beach’ with real sand.