Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham

Bullring and Grand Central form one of the largest city-center shopping destinations in the United Kingdom. The area was originally known as Corn Cheaping, a name referring to the corn market held here. Part of it became known as the Bull Ring, where bulls were tethered to an iron ring before being baited by dogs and slaughtered. The market became an official market in 1166, when Peter de Bermingham was granted a royal charter by King Henry II to hold a weekly market. By the 18th century, food, cattle, and corn markets were concentrated in the area.

The market district had its ups and downs, but World War II caused extensive damage. Major redevelopment began in the 1950s. On May 29, 1964, the new Birmingham Bull Ring Center was opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Covering some 23 acres, it contained about 350,000 square feet of retail space and was one of the country's pioneering indoor city-center shopping complexes.

After another major redevelopment, the present Bullring opened in 2003, followed by the rebuilt Grand Central above New Street Station in 2015. Outside Bullring stands a bronze sculpture of an aggressive-looking bull, as yet unbaited. Officially titled The Guardian, the sculpture is the work of Laurence Broderick and was unveiled when the new Bullring opened in 2003.