61
SHOPPING & RETAIL
Colmore Row
Birmingham B2 5HU
Tel: 0121 236 5417
GREAT WESTERN
ARCADE
Birmingham has no shortage
of shopping centres, but the
most prepossessing must be
the Great Western Arcade.
This Grade II listed Victorian
shopping arcade evokes a
bygone age, its glass ceilings,
chandeliers
and
ornate
plasterwork contributing to the
opulent ambience. Shoppers
typically visit the Great Western
Arcade for a different kind of
retail experience. You won’t find
many High Street chains here;
this is where independents
flourish and where unusual
artefacts can be found. It’s
where you’ll find traditional
delicatessans like Anderson &
Hill, ‘purveyors of fine food and
wine’. Great Western Arcade
is also home to Liquor Store,
an independent men’s clothing
boutique advertising labels
from around the world, and Mr
Simm’s Olde Sweet Shoppe,
which is stocked to the ceiling
with hundreds of traditional
treats. More Than Vintage,
meanwhile, raises funds to
support homeless services
throughout Bristol; this vintage
and retro charity shop is the
place to find a rare cameo
brooch or enduring, eye-
catching suit or dress. There
are restaurants too, including
the Victorian, which serves a
variety of traditional English
dishes. Embrace the time warp
at Great Western Arcade.
