The New New Street Station

 For nearly all of the six years I have been living in Birmingham, one of our three stations has been receiving a major face lift. New Street station, one of the busiest in the UK with, I hear, 170,000 passengers going through it daily (twice what it was built for in 1967), previously functioned and had the essential facilities. But it didn't fit the 21st century, needed a lick of paint and frankly, Birmingham deserved better!So come Sunday morning, opening time, I had to go in for a glimpse of my new station, immediately if not sooner!

I thought the new New Street would remind me of Kings Cross, with the airy, bright atrium but actually I found myself thinking about St Pancras on first visit. Until now, the only station I go to just for fun. Partly because of childhood memories of getting the train from Bedford to London line and because of the fantastic array of shops and cafes. But I have to say, I had tears in my eyes when I saw what us Birmingham residents have been given. I've not even spent 3 hours in St Pancras but I did not want to leave New Street!I'm looking forward to going back for breakfast on Thursday, before I cast my eye over Grand Central, which is opening at 11, alongside the flagship new John Lewis. I never thought I'd get this excited about Lewis's - after all I'm an M&S lifer but that's where I go to play with and buy my tech from. And they have a day spa. And loads of Scandi clothes we don't see in this country. And a café with a view....Let me know if you're coming @RickieWrites