The history of the Bull Ring is a fascinating one, but most who are alive today will remember one of two things. That's either the shiny new Bullring, opened in 2003, or the old shopping centre that stood there for decades.

The old Bull Ring (two words!) shopping centre may have been showing its age long before it was demolished for the new development, but that doesn't mean Brummies didn't have a great time there up until the end. Wandering the many market stalls, keeping up with the latest trends, getting your first job there - it was a centre in for Birmingham in more ways than one.

We asked our Facebook nostalgia group what memories they had of the Bull Ring back in their day. See what they said below, and if it sparks any memories of your own, comment below!

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There's no shopping centre without shops, so let's start there. Berni Barton said "Woolworths going down the escalator to the market. Baileys records, the nut stall, bag and shoe stall and chippy all next to each other."

Jan Freeman was a regular - "born & bred in Birmingham. We used to go in on the bus to the Bull ring most Fridays - loved the fish Market! Sitting upstairs on the bus on the way home peeling & eating a bag of fresh prawns." "Oswald baileys", "Device suit shop", and "Don Millers, Nelson House and PoundStretcher" all got a mention under our post too.

Aerial view of part of the Bull Ring in 1967 - you can see the famous old Bull sculptures on the walls.
Aerial view of part of the Bull Ring in 1967 - you can see the famous old Bull sculptures on the walls.

The Fish Market sticks out in a lot of peoples' minds. Claire Pyper said "Eating cockles with a splash of vinegar in the fish market and gazing in awe at the seahorses in tanks at the pet shop."

And how about those pubs? "The Blarney Stone, this must’ve been 90’s", said Steve Bailey, while Andy Croke remembers "Matador pub, speakers corner at the bottom of that ramp."

For many, the Bull Ring was a place of work instead of play - though no doubt they did plenty of that too. Sue Corbett said "I worked in Shades boutique for a short time in 1969. The shop had a large bird cage in the middle of the floor where we had to take it in turns to sit in to look out for shoplifters. All staff wore short yellow dresses."

Annette Elley remembered that she "worked at rowleys butchers under ramp by rotunda. Loved it, started when I was 16, was there a few yrs back in 1983." Diane Carol Barber recalled "Working in Mothercare with my best friend Estelle" - making good friends sure makes the time go quicker.

The old Bull Ring even lasts in the memories of those who have long since moved away. Linda Melanson said "Lived in Birmingham as a child till 14. I remember going into town about 11… with a friend and my Birthday money.

"I bought a pair of black tights with the Beatles heads on them, Hoop earrings and then lunch at Woolworths counter. I think I got all that for half a crown Lol. Of course going back to the mid 60s!"

What memories do you have of shopping or working at Birmingham's old Bull Ring centre? Comment below, and join our Facebook nostalgia group to share photos and stories.

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