Is "New Street" being used less now as the name of Birmingham's main station??

[Western Sunset]

From the Conservative Party Conference website:

"It takes just over one hour to reach The ICC from London and Birmingham also has direct connections to most major UK cities. Services arrive at Birmingham Grand Central and The ICC is a short 15 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride from the station."

Is the name "Grand Central" being used more now?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is the name "Grand Central" being used more now?

Doubtful, unless you're talking about the open access train operating company on the ECML. The piece you've quoted was quite possibly written by some PR hack who doesn't normally ever get the train anywhere, and certainly not to Birmingham New Street.

 

[the sniper]

Is the name "Grand Central" being used more now?

Not by normal people.

 

[Mag_seven]

I thought "Grand Central" was just the name of the attached shopping centre?

 

[Tetchytyke]

It's the Conservative Party, I'm amazed they even know where Birmingham is.

Grand Central is the shopping centre, obviously some intern has misread Google Maps.

 

[oldboy reg]

They seem to have forgotten about the tram as well but they are not pro public transport.

Also John Lewis didn't last long there and has left a big gap.

 

[duncanp]

I thought "Grand Central" was just the name of the attached shopping centre?

Grand Central is also the name of the tram stop adjacent to New Street station.

 

[DarloRich]

From the Conservative Party Conference website:

"It takes just over one hour to reach The ICC from London and Birmingham also has direct connections to most major UK cities. Services arrive at Birmingham Grand Central and The ICC is a short 15 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride from the station."

Is the name "Grand Central" being used more now?

The Tories and accuracy are often strangers!

It will just be somone making a slight mistake. Lets not over think it

 

[NoRoute]

I thought "Grand Central" was just the name of the attached shopping centre?

Strictly speaking is it, but the station and the shopping centre are tightly integrated together, it's not like two separate buildings side by side, or a clearly separate shopping centre building built on top of the clearly separate station.

It would make more sense for the station and the shopping centre to share the same core name - 'Grand Central' Station, and 'Grand Central' Shopping Centre.

After all what sense does 'New Street' make? It was new sometime back in the 18th or 19th century, perhaps it time it was brought upto date.

 

[the sniper]

After all what sense does 'New Street' make? It was new sometime back in the 18th or 19th century, perhaps it time it was brought upto date.

Maybe it makes sense because people know where and what it is? Are you planning to change the name of the street itself too, because it ain't so new either? Maybe New York City should consider a change too, it ain't so new now, newer than New Amsterdam, I'll give you that. Maybe, 'Grand Central America', is a suitably grandiose title for the City? They'd be naming it after their own, famous main station, but that would be crazy, I suppose.

 

[The Planner]

Strictly speaking is it, but the station and the shopping centre are tightly integrated together, it's not like two separate buildings side by side, or a clearly separate shopping centre building built on top of the clearly separate station.

It would make more sense for the station and the shopping centre to share the same core name - 'Grand Central' Station, and 'Grand Central' Shopping Centre.

After all what sense does 'New Street' make? It was new sometime back in the 18th or 19th century, perhaps it time it was brought upto date.

When are we changing Moor St to Bullring?

 

[swt_passenger]

Maybe it makes sense because people know where and what it is? Are you planning to change the name of the street itself too, because it ain't so new either? Maybe New York City should consider a change too, it ain't so new now, newer than New Amsterdam, I'll give you that...

On that point, I wonder if Newcastle would be happy to drop the New by now?

 

[Parallel]

My friend from Birmingham now refers to New Street as ‘Grand Central station’ so I too wonder if it will become the norm before too long - especially locally.

 

[Western Sunset]

If someone went to a ticket office and asked for the fare to B'ham Grand Central, would staff know where they were asking for?

 

[the sniper]

When are we changing Moor St to Bullring?

Only after Snow Hill becomes Co-Op or Car Park...

 

[Wolfie]

Strictly speaking is it, but the station and the shopping centre are tightly integrated together, it's not like two separate buildings side by side, or a clearly separate shopping centre building built on top of the clearly separate station.

It would make more sense for the station and the shopping centre to share the same core name - 'Grand Central' Station, and 'Grand Central' Shopping Centre.

After all what sense does 'New Street' make? It was new sometime back in the 18th or 19th century, perhaps it time it was brought upto date.

It is not call "new" in the sense of being recent. The station is actually on, or at least adjacent to, New Street Birmingham B2.

 

[skyhigh]

If someone went to a ticket office and asked for the fare to B'ham Grand Central, would staff know where they were asking for?

Maybe, maybe not.

Just because one website has seemingly used Grand Central in error doesn't mean the world as a whole is now referring to New Street by a different name.

 

[Sprinter107]

I work into New Street, and have never had anyone ask for Grand Central. Theres nothing wrong with the name New Street. Its OK as it is.

 

[Peter0124]

What about Grand Central New York, or Grand Central trains? I would rather it wasn't referred to that name instead of Birmingham New Street.

 

[XAM2175]

Grand Central is the shopping centre, obviously some intern has misread Google Maps.

I suspect that this is the most likely explanation. There's no need to start clutching pearls over it.

 

[Mikey C]

As an aside, if I was from Chiltern Trains, I'd be more annoyed that the travel instructions don't mention the option of going to Moor Street!

 

[sw1ller]

I’ve signed Birmingham New St for 6 years now and I genuinely didn’t know it was also known as Grand Central.

 

[WizCastro197]

I suspect that this is the most likely explanation. There's no need to start clutching pearls over it.

I agree but coming from the party who are currently leading our country, you'd think at least they'd know the main station of Uk's 2nd city?
Or the city they are holding their own conference in?

 

[gg1]

Since it was redeveloped I've heard a few people I work with refer to is as Grand Central, and they're locals, though admittedly people who quite possibly never used the place.

 

[Western Sunset]

Some of 'em don't know where Preston is though...

I agree but coming from the party who are currently leading our country, you'd think at least they'd know the main station of Uk's 2nd city?
Or the city they are holding their own conference in?

 

[gg1]

After all what sense does 'New Street' make? It was new sometime back in the 18th or 19th century, perhaps it time it was brought upto date.

New Street (the street itself) was old even then. The earliest conclusive reference to the name dates back to the 14th century though some historians believe it may have been laid out as early as the 12th century.

 

[WizCastro197]

New Street (the street itself) was old even then. The earliest conclusive reference to the name dates back to the 14th century though some historians believe it may have been laid out as early as the 12th century.

Exactly. Why should we erase historical roots and importance?

 

[skyhigh]

I agree but coming from the party who are currently leading our country, you'd think at least they'd know the main station of Uk's 2nd city?
Or the city they are holding their own conference in?

This is a minor bit of text on a secondary website that was probably written by an intern. It's not exactly a formal government statement and I don't see why it merits such a fuss to be honest.

 

[fandroid]

On that point, I wonder if Newcastle would be happy to drop the New by now?

New Forest?

 

[swt_passenger]

New Forest?

Well spotted. Another one that’s been under review for nearly 1000 years...