Retailers in Birmingham will be rolling out the red carpet next month as Mary Portas comes to the city.
TV’s Queen of Shops will embark on a Royal Tour of Birmingham on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th November, as the VIP guest of Retail Birmingham. Taking time out from her busy filming
schedule, Mary will spend 24 hours in Birmingham, during which she will explore city centre
shopping areas, visit selected retailers, host a dinner for invited guests to discuss industry issues, and meet with Birmingham City Council representatives to look at measures that can be introduced to encourage more independent retailers to open up in the city, as well as supporting those that are already here.
Her trip marks a drive by Retail Birmingham to support independent outlets and improve the
trading environment to aid growth. The highly visible show of support will reassure retailers in
the city centre that their interests are high on the agenda.
The visit will also strengthen the new Style Birmingham campaign which is rolling out nationwide. The campaign has been collectively designed on behalf of 1,000 shops in the city centre to promote Birmingham as a shopping and fashion capital of the UK, with the range and quality to rival leading European cities. Activity will include national advertising, a retail directory, awards, fashion shows, and a website which is now live at www.stylebirmingham.com.
Nigel Godfrey, Retail Birmingham Business Manager said: “This will be the first time that Mary has turned her attention to a city as a whole and we’re delighted that she has accepted our invitation to come to Birmingham at a time when we are actively promoting the city as a
shopping and style capital.
“Retail Birmingham was formed to help retailers in the city centre to improve their businesses
and to encourage more visitors to shop here. Mary brings with her expertise that independent
retailers will really be able to benefit from and status that will attract people to come to the city and see what all the fuss is about.
“The Royal Tour is just one highlight in a varied programme of activities which we have planned to attract attention to Birmingham as a top shopping destination and as the city is ranked as the best shopping destination outside London it makes perfect sense for Mary to show her support."
Retail marketing guru Mary Portas is quite possibly one of the UK’s foremost authorities on retail and brand communication. Previously the creative director of Harvey Nichols, Mary launched Yellowdoor in 1997 which has since created category challenging campaigns for a wide range of brands including Clarks, Louis Vuitton, Thomas Pink and French Connection. Mary writes a weekly column in The Telegraph and has published two books.
Mary said: “Birmingham is a major city with a strong retail offer. Several big names have
opened in the city in the last few years to put Birmingham firmly on the shopping map, propelling it to a position as the best city in the UK for shopping outside London.
“However, no shopping destination can rest on its laurels and for Birmingham to continue to
develop it is essential to support its independent retailers and grow that sector.
“I’m delighted to be working with Retail Birmingham and lend my support to the innovative new
Style Birmingham campaign. I’m very much looking forward to visiting the city and meeting
retailers to hear their views.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
We will be holding a photo call and press conference with Mary during her visit to
Birmingham. Details to be confirmed. To register your interest contact Charlotte
Beeching on 0121 202 5143 or email us.
Retail Birmingham is a Business Improvement District (BID), representing up to 800 retailers in Birmingham city centre. A BID is a precisely defined geographical area within which the
businesses have voted to invest collectively in additional local projects and services to enhance their trading performance and environment.
Download RoyalTourofBirmingham_en (.pdf 28 KB)
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