Best Places To Go Shopping In Birmingham For Students

Birmingham has long boasted about being one the best cities for shopping and we’re here to tell you they aren’t wrong.

Shopping in Birmingham is a delight, from the new swish high street therapy that can be found in The Bull Ring to the traditional and historic Jewellery Quarter, there’s something for everyone and most importantly, every budget!

So once again we’ve set out the What’s, the Where’s, the Who’s, and the How’s so all you need to do is turn up and open your wallet.

Anyway, without further ado, here are the top shopping locations in Birmingham.

1. The Bull Ring

Moor St, Birmingham B5 4BU, UK

It Opens 7 days between 10 am – 8 pm

The Bull Ring is THE main shopping hub in Birmingham city centre. 

It has everything you’d expect from a massive shopping mall but also manages to offer much much more. 

The striking appearance, towering ceilings and expansive shops mean that you avoid the usual feeling of being contained that you find in most shopping centres.

The best thing about the Bull Ring though is the sheer selection of shops on offer. If you can’t find what you need, you almost certainly don’t know what you want! 

Home to huge brands like Selfridges, The Bull Ring also has a wide selection of restaurants and even activities. We certainly can spend all day here wandering, lunching and generally drinking in the vibe.

2. Jewellery Quarter

Vyse Street Birmingham B18 6HA

Opening times vary depending on the retailers

The Jewellery Quarter has been a vibrant hub for gold and silversmiths for over 200 years. It is estimated that up to 40% of the UK’s jewellery is produced here. 

This area of Birmingham has a huge variety of jewellers from renowned high street names to boutique specialist jewellers offering one of a kind and bespoke jewellery. There’s even a Jewellery Quarter museum that provides a complete history of how Birmingham came to be the home of British Jewellery.

We recommend taking a wander and checking out the independent retailers who have some amazing ideas, you may even be inspired to commission your piece unique to you! 

Along with shiny trinkets and gems, you’ll find a whole host of cafes, restaurants and bars where you can relax in.

What are you waiting for? Go embrace your inner magpie!

3. Birmingham Rag Market

Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, B5 4RB

Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

Birmingham Rag Market is iconic and provides so much more than simply budget shopping. 

Generations of traders have sold their wares at the market and it provides a beautiful and distinctive insight into the multicultural reality that is Birmingham.

Offering everything from fabric by the meter for your fashion projects or retro garms to fresh food. Birmingham Rag Market is your one-stop shop for budget shopping and also getting to know the city on a more intimate level.

4. The Great Western Arcade

23-24 Colmore Row, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham B2 5HU

Open 7 days between 9.30 am – 6 pm (Saturday & Sunday Hours vary)

The Great Western Arcade is ideal for the fashionably minded, particularly if you like your fashion boutique, unique and high end. 

The Arcade itself is from Victorian times and is a stunning example of Victorian elegance- the tiles, the light and shop fronts all make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

The Great Western Arcade is also home to restaurants and bars that you can drop into after finishing with the shop aspect of your day. The view of St Philip’s Cathedral after a hard slog of treating yourself is spectacular.

5. Custard Factory

Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA

Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 6 pm (Sunday Hours vary)

The Custard Factory is slap bang in the centre of Birmingham. It’s where the new and upcoming creatives live. With all the tech start-up offices and TV studios being located nearby, it is no surprise that the Custard Factory offers some of the coolest shopping available in Birmingham.

Just a short walk from The Bull Ring but the vibe could not be more different.

Independent retailers are king here, ranging from small record stores to sustainable womenswear.

On top of ultra-chic independent shopping, there are also regular art installations and events on. Keep an eye on their social media for details and times.

6. Mailbox 

Commercial St, Birmingham B1 1RS, UK

Open 7 Days 10 am to 7 pm

If luxury, premium, high-end, expensive and quality are all words you associate with shopping then the internationally recognised Mailbox shopping centre is the place for you.

Amongst a whole delightful assortment of purveyors of luxury goods, the one store that stands above the rest is Harvey Nichols. 

The Mailbox also offers several amazing restaurants and bars, so go have a look and see what fancy things take your fancy.

7 Birmingham New Street

New Street, Birmingham, UK

Openings vary depending on retailers

Birmingham New Street is the main shopping high street and it contains all the usual high street brands you would expect to see on any big city high street, including Urban Outfitters and the Apple store.

Not our favourite place to shop compared with the other options on this list but the brands available are big hitters and you’ll likely end up taking a visit to New Street if you visit Birmingham for shopping.

A lot of these locations are all within walking distance of each other, which is part of the reason why Birmingham is so good for student shopping. Even if you don’t have any spare loan cash to dish out, go take a wander through the arcades and the clothes racks, the Great Western Arcade is our favourite for this!

Need more inspo on things to do? Check out our guide on Birmingham here.