Hammerson attracts TOCA Social to Bullring's former Debenhams site

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jun 6, 2024

Birmingham’s Bullring & Grand Central shopping destination is expanding its entertainment offer, with the Hammerson-operated mall having just opening a TOCA Social venue. 

It becomes the second interactive football and dining experience in the UK following a debut at the O2 entertainment venue in Greenwich southeast London. A third, at Westfield London, is due to open next year.

Completing the repurposing of the former the Debenhams building, TOCA Social has taken the space above M&S and Zara offering immersive football-based gaming alongside food and drink across seven days a week.

The first location outside of London, the launch of TOCA Social “reflects Hammerson’s strategy to broaden the use and purpose of its destinations through new uses including entertainment, leisure and social concepts which engage audiences and diversify revenue streams”. 

The selection of Bullring & Grand Central “demonstrates the appeal and quality of [our] city centre assets to high-profile brands”, the property giant explained.

Toby Tait, Director of Asset Management at Hammerson, added: “Our vision is to create vibrant, multi-use destinations which offer an exciting mix of complementary social uses, from retail and entertainment to culture and art. The opening of TOCA Social embodies this approach and demonstrates how we are expanding the proposition of our destinations.”

The opening follows the announcement that the destination’s Zara is to significantly upsize this year with a 51,000 sq ft space. 

Newcomers to the mall include Swiss watchmakers Swatch and global footwear brand Clarks.