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 Minimalist designer clothing store |
15-17 Ethel Street Birmingham B2 4BG United Kingdom +44 121 633 3540 http://www.autog.co.uk/ |
Autograph is a designer menswear store with a stylish, minimalist feel, specialising mainly in Helmut Lang, Stone Island and Paul Smith. It sells elegant, casual clothes for both sexes at affordable prices. The shop is favoured by the new breed of well-dressed footballer (for example Lee Sharpe, the former Manchester United player, has been spotted here). It's also popular with the clean-cut 20-somethings who like to look good but don't want to pay extortionate prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Money, money, money |
Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom |
Bank branches are generally open 9a to 4:30p or 5p Monday-Friday. Some are open on Saturdays, but all are shut on Sundays and bank holidays. The following are national bank holidays: 1st January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, First Monday of May (May Day Bank Holiday), Last Monday of May(Whitsun Bank Holiday), Last Monday of August (August Bank Holiday), 25th December, 26th December (or the following Monday if this falls on Saturday or Sunday). Most branches of high street banks have bureau de change facilities which buy and sell currency for a fee. If you want a foreign currency, it is usually a good idea to order it over the phone or in person in advance of when you are going to need it, although most banks hold a stock of the most popular tourist currencies. Rates of exchange are usually on display. Some travel agents also offer currency exchange, though their fees tend to be higher. The British currency is sterling: pounds and pence. There is 100p in every pound (£). Notes come in GBP5, GBP10, GBP20 and GBP50, and coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, GBP1 and GBP2. Plastic/Traveller's Cheques. Nearly all banks have cashpoint facilities (ATMs), which can be accessed 24 hours a day. The vast majority of shops, hotels and restaurants take the full range of credit and debit cards, and have the symbols of those they accept displayed in their windows. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Spectacular Sporting & Event Venue |
King Edwards Rd Birmingham B1 2AA United Kingdom +44 0121 780 4141 http://www.necgroup.co.uk |
Birmingham's National Indoor Arena (NIA) is one of the busiest and largest indoor sporting and entertainment venues in Europe. Numerous sports have held regional, national and international competitions here including badminton, tennis, judo, basketball, wrestling and more. The NIA also hosts a wide array of business conferences, exhibitions and entertainment showcases including world-class concerts by performers like Paul McCartney, Oasis and Coldplay. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Simon Li  |
 Photo: Adönis |
 Photo: sg001 |
 Photo: Bav Jansari |
 Photo: Stinco di Porco |
 Photo: Maxwell Scott-Slade |
 Photo: paul-ips |
 Photo: paul bellamy |
 Photo: Sarah Huntingford |
 Dermatological problems treated |
Dudley Road Dudley Road, Winson Green Birmingham B18 United Kingdom +44 121 567 8123 http://www.lasercare-clinics.c... |
If you're looking for advice and medical treatment for your skin, the Birmingham Skin Centre can offer a range of cosmetic surgeries and laser dermatology techniques. Their NHS-registered consultant dermatologists and plastic surgeons can provide both surgical and non-surgical treatment for a wide range of skin complaints, such as wrinkles, acne, sun-damaged skin, and tattoo removal. The centre also offers several beauty therapies, such as facial peels and collagen therapy. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Designer jewellery |
114 Vyse Street Hockley Birmingham B18 6LP United Kingdom +44 121 236 4491 |
Situated in the heart of Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter, Hockley's Design Centre offers some of the finest jewellery you can find anywhere. Official agents for Gucci, Raymond Weil, Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss and Ellesse, Design Center stocks a huge range of watches and a large range of certified diamonds. Gold and platinum jewellery can be bought here, and if you're an overseas visitor refunds are available on value added tax (VAT), making your visit even more profitable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Emergency number |
Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom 999 (Emergency) |
If you need an ambulance for emergency purposes, dial 999. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Fire brigade |
Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom 999 (Emergency) |
If you need a fire engine to attend to an emergency, dial 999. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Police service |
Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom 999 (Emergency) |
If you need the police in an emergency, dial 999. Ask the operator for the police. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Emergency number |
Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom 999 (Emergency) |
In any emergency situation, dial 999 and tell the operator which service you require - ambulance, police or fire brigade. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Gems Galore |
Hockley Birmingham B18 United Kingdom +44 121 554 3598 http://www.the-quarter.com/ |
The jewellery industry developed in Birmingham from the mid-19th century. At its peak in the early part of the 20th century it employed 20,000 workers. World War II brought recession and although redevelopment took place in the area, by 1985 there were only 4,000 people employed in the district. Today, the Jewellery Quarter is a bustling area that produces over a third of the UK's jewellery, and you can find tonnes of bargains in its many small shops. It's also home to the award-winning Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and some good restaurants. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Phil Edwards |
 Photo: Ginder Sohal |
 Photo: Keith Berry |
 Photo: Andrea Harper |
 Cyber coffee |
8 Fletchers Walk Paradise Circus Birmingham B3 3HJ United Kingdom +44 121 248 2228 |
If you haven't got a PC to hand and want instant Internet access, the Netplay Internet Center is conveniently located in Fletchers Walk and boasts 16 computers. Helpful staff offer web design and advice, you can learn to surf the net, or you can play games. All this while you sip a tea or munch on the sandwiches, cakes or snacks on sale. The cafe has been around for over three years and is usually reasonably busy. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Old-fashioned style |
Piccadilly Arcade, New Street Birmingham B2 4HD United Kingdom |
A fancy, old-fashioned jewellers that only deals in quality goods. As well as the normal rings, earrings and bracelets, the shop also sells objets d'art, clocks, hip flasks, photo frames and the odd antique. There's a valuation service too. Much of the merchandise is, as they say, reassuringly expensive, but many of the goods can be bought for a fairly modest outlay. Good for presents, or an impetuous buy for oneself. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Top designer wear |
Solihull Birmingham B9 3GZ United Kingdom +44 01 21 711 6942 http://www.sereneorder.com |
This lovely shop is worth a visit for the décor alone, which is frescoed and high-ceilinged. Here you'll find Vivienne Westwood, Dexter Wong and John Rocha to mention just a few of the high fashion designer names. The clothes, shoes and accessories are for both men and women and where required a personal service is available. It's located in Burlington Arcade, a collection of exclusive shops and boutiques underneath the Burlington Hotel. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Vincent Van who?! |
5 Fetchers Walk Paradise Circus Birmingham B3 3HJ United Kingdom +44 121 233 1780 |
Even if you don't fancy tackling the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel just yet, Spectrum Fine Art can provide you with everything you need to create your own mini-masterpieces. Along with a range of paints, pastels and paper, the shop also supplies a selection of videos and books so you can develop your artistic streak further. The store is the leading stockist for such names as Windsor and Newton and is within easy walking distance of the city's Snow Hill station. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Birmingham trains and stations |
Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom |
Birmingham has one of the country's most used train stations, owing to its location at the heart of the rail network. Birmingham New Street has 12 platforms with services running from around 6am to 11:30p, and millions of passengers either begin or end their journey here every year. There is a large taxi rank at the front of the station a bus stop just outside the entrance. The other principal stations in the city centre are Snow Hill, which is 10 minutes' walk to the north, and Moor Street, the same distance to the east. These provide local services to smaller towns such as Stratford and Warwick and are also prime commuter destinations. The main companies running trains out of New Street are Virgin for cross-country destinations, Silverlink for stations to London (a cheaper if less speedy option than Virgin) and Centro, which provides local services. Review © 2007, Wcities |