Where is Snow Hill Station Square?

Snow Hill Station Square is on Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QD. Also called Snow Hill Square.

 

In brief

Between 1987 and the 2000s, there used to be green canopies between One and Nine Colmore Row, with a walkway to the entrance of Birmingham Snow Hill Station. These were removed opening up a square, and then access to retail units. In 2021-22, an area of Colmore Row outside of the Great Western Arcade and Colmore Gate, was pedestrianised, but still allowing buses and taxis through. There is also raised bevels at crossings, for blind people to feel with their sticks.

Snow Hill Station Square (April 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Colmore Row entrance to Birmingham Snow Hill Station - history

The current Birmingham Snow Hill Station was opened in October 1987. Outside on Colmore Row was these green canopies with plants below them, with walkways, either side of One and Nine Colmore Row. Nothing really changed until the canopies were removed sometime during the mid 2000s, when an open square was created. This led to retail space opening up at One and Nine Colmore Row.

The main entrance of Birmingham Snow Hill Station from Colmore Row (circa 1999). Photo courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

 

The Station Square

Developed in the mid 2000s, this is the view when exiting Birmingham Snow Hill Station towards Colmore Row, Colmore Gate and the Great Western Arcade. Little Waitrose used to be at One Colmore Row (from 2012 to 2018). This is now Colmore Row's Co-op. At Nine Colmore Row is Costa Coffee (this unit was a Somerfield supermarket until 2009, Costa has been here since 2012). Next door is the Whitewall Galleries. This opened in 2015.

Somerfield supermarket at Snow Hill Station Square (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Vacant retail units at Nine Colmore Square near Snow Hill Station Square (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Snow at Snow Hill Station Square (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Snow Hill Public Realm Works 2020 - 2022

Birmingham City Council had plans to redevelop the road layout outside of the square next to Colmore Gate and the Great Western Arcade since at least 2015. But work didn't really start until 2020. The original completion date of Spring 2021 was missed, and workers were still on site doing the finishing touches in the early months of 2022. But is now complete. There was plans for a basement bar (close to the Co-op) but this didn't seem to have happen (perhaps as it would have been above the Snow Hill Tunnel).

Snow Hill Public Realm Works on Colmore Row (October 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The plan was to swap the bus stops on Livery Street with the taxi rank on Colmore Row. Also to reroute bus routes 7, 46 and 101.

Snow Hill Public Realm Works on Colmore Row (November 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By February - March 2022, there is a new crossing, the road layout has been redesigned. The taxi rank has gone. There is also raised bevels at the Livery Street crossings, for blind people with their walking sticks to feel. The new public realm goes as far as Halifax and Barclays.

Snow Hill Public Realm Works on Colmore Row (March 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In the summer of 2022, with Key to the City Birmingham on, you can get access to the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row. This view down to the Snow Hill Station Square on Colmore Row in front of the Great Western Arcade.

Snow Hill Station Square on Colmore Row from the view at 103 Colmore Row (June 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown