If you love to shop then 2025 could be a good year. Here in Coventry we have a bustling city centre, but we also have a bunch of shopping options on our doorstep too.
One of those is Solihull where the town centre has experienced a flurry of new additions over the past year, welcoming a host of brands to excite both shoppers and food enthusiasts alike. From an upscale bakery lauded for its ‘sensational pastries’ to a beloved American homeware brand, the recent retail and culinary unveilings in Solihull have certainly enhanced the local shopping landscape reports Birmingham Live.
Now the Christmas rush and celebratory season are behind us, residents and visitors will be treated to a variety of fresh restaurants, shops, and cafés. Below we’ve highlighted some of the latest openings you can discover…
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Upmarket bakery chain Gail’s on High Street Solihull
(Image: Graham Young)
1) Gail’s – After being surrounded by whispers for months, Gail’s Bakery finally opened its doors in the Solihull town centre in November. Known for conquering the neighbourhoods of London, this upmarket bakery chain is now making waves in the West Midlands.
2) ProCook – Filling the space of the former Nespresso shop, homeware giant ProCook made its entrance into Touchwood shopping centre at the end of August. Speaking to BirminghamLive, kitchen gurus revealed their plans to offer ‘bespoke cookware, knife and tableware sets’ from their “bright and airy store” located along Crescent Arcade in Touchwood.
3) Yankee Candle – Yankee Candle took residency in the premises previously occupied by Costa, introducing its US aromatic candle range in mid-November, just in time to contribute its “beautifully scented smells” to the festive period.
The old Bodyshop unit has been given a fresh lick of paint and has a new name above the door
(Image: Emily Chaplin/BirminghamLive)
4) House of Tweed – Luxury brand House of Tweed made its debut in Touchwood’s Poplar Arcade in November. The store, which offers a range of products from socks to scarves, bags and clothing, was hailed as a “must visit” for Christmas shopping and winter essentials.
A popular Thai tapas chain has finally opened the doors of its new Solihull restaurant after a year-long wait. Pictured:Giggling Squid in Knowle
(Image: Rob Crawshaw /Giggling Squid)
5) Giggling Squid – After a year-long anticipation, popular Thai tapas chain Giggling Squid opened its new restaurant in Knowle in November. The chic eatery, located on Knowle high street, has taken over the former Loch Fyne seafood bar and grill.
6) WingKingz – Specialising in wings (including vegan options), crispy fries and burgers, WingKingz opened its doors on November 16 in the Touchwood food quarter, promising an unmatched dining experience. 7) Quorn Stone – Quorn Stone, self-proclaimed as the “UK’s leading premium tile company”, opened its upscale emporium in Mell Square’s old Trespass store in April.
This followed several business movements in and out of the town, including the unexpected closure of TK Maxx, which Solihull Council labelled as disappointing. 9) Oliver Bonas – British lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas launched a large outlet in Touchwood in April.
Known for its fashion, homeware and accessories, it is often a top choice for gift buying. This marks the brand’s fourth store in the West Midlands and its first in Solihull.
10) Chaiiwala – The well-liked Indian street food chain, Chaiiwala, officially opened its doors in Birmingham Airport’s departures lounge in October. The spacious 1,100 square foot eatery offers its signature favourites such as Karak Chaii, Caramel Chaii, English-Ish Breakfast, Masala Chips and Karachi Bun Kebab Burger for a whopping 17 hours daily.