Solihull town centre has seen a number of openings in the last year, with a variety of names for shoppers and diners to look forward to. A range of brands, including an upmarket bakery known for ‘sensational pastries’ and American homeware brand are just some of the recent retail and culinary openings in Solihull.
The town saw a raft of new shops open their doors during the summer, with retail bosses boasting of ‘must-visit’ names. 2025 will also bring change to Solihull’s landscape, with progress expected on proposals to transform Mell Square into a multi-million pound ‘urban village’. You can read more on those plans, here.
Now the dust has settled after Christmas shopping and festive celebrations there are a whole host of new restaurants, shops and cafes to enjoy in Solihull. We’ve rounded up the newest openings, below.
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1) Gail’s -After months of rumours, Gail’s opened in Solihull town centre in November. The upmarket bakery chain famed for its takeover of London suburbs, but is rapidly expanding into the West Midlands. You can read the verdict brunch and coffee fans have given Gail’s in Solihull, here.
2) ProCook – Popular homeware brand ProCook took over the old Nespresso unit in Touchwood shopping centre at the end of August. Kitchen bosses told BirminghamLive they would be selling ‘bespoke cookware, knife and tableware sets’ from their “bright and airy store” on Crescent Arcade in Touchwood. More on what to expect, here.
Popular cookware brand ProCook hasopened its doors in Touchwood in Solihull. The homeware brand has moved into the former premises of Nespresso, which closed its Touchwood store in March
(Image: ProCook)
3) Yankee Candle – Taking over the old Costa unit, US scented candle brand Yankee Candle opened in mid-November selling its “beautifully scented smells” in time for Christmas.
4) House of Tweed – Luxury brand House of Tweed opened on Touchwood’s Poplar Arcade in November. House of Tweed sells everything from socks to scarves, bags and clothing and was described as a “must visit” when shopping for Christmas gifts and winter warmers.
5) Giggling Squid – Popular Thai tapas chain Giggling Squid opened its new Knowle restaurant in November after a a year-long wait. The stylish restaurant opened on Knowle high street and occupies a prime spot in the village. The ‘vibrant’ high-street eatery is officially open in the former Loch Fyne seafood bar and grill.
Inside Giggling Squid in Knowle
(Image: Rob Crawshaw /Giggling Squid)
6) WingKingz – WingKingz, a restaurant bar and grill that specialises in wings (including vegan options), crispy fries and burgers opened on November 16. It’s in the Touchwood food quarter, and has promised “unmatched vibes” for diners.
7)Quorn Stone – Quorn Stone, an “upscale emporium” which labels itself as the “UK’s leading premium tile company” opened in Mell Square’s old Trespass store in April. The opening in Mell Square followed months of movement from different businesses shuffling in and out of the town, including the shock closure of TK Maxx, a move labelled by Solihull Council as disappointing.
8)The Steamhouse – A popular Midlands bagel shop that started out in a VW camper opened its ninth branch in Solihull last month. The Steamhouse moved into the old Fall menswear spot, next to Timpson on the town’s high street. The cafe sells New York-style bagels, deluxe donuts and coffee, with breakfast and lunch options available. You can read more on what to expect, here.
9) Oliver Bonas – British lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opened a sizable unit in Touchwood in April. Oliver Bonas is known for its fashion, homeware and accessories and is often a go-to for gift buying. It is the brand’s fourth store in the West Midlands and first in Solihull.
Oliver Bonas has opened a sizable unit in Solihull’s Touchwood shopping centre, and fans are already saying it is their “favourite.”
(Image: Touchwood)
10)Chaiiwala – Popular Indian street food chain Chaiiwala officially opened in Birmingham Airport’s departures lounge in October. The 1,100 square foot restaurant sells its signature favourites like Karak Chaii, Caramel Chaii, English-Ish Breakfast, Masala Chips and Karachi Bun Kebab Burger for 17 hours a day.
Have we missed anything? Let our reporter know – naomi.desouza@reachplc.com