Visitors to Birmingham will be able to journey to the centre of the fairy light with ‘Once Upon A Time In Birmingham’, Bompas & Parr’s festive tea parlour and party bar, which is opening in Hammerson’s flagship destination, Bullring & Grand Central on November 14.
The Christmas installation features 88,000 fairy lights, over 9km of illumination, as well as a host of mirrors in a grand, sparkling interior. The merry and bright installation will not only be illuminating, but also delicious, with a menu designed to glow and sparkle.
After venturing down a pulsating electric cable, guests will emerge into a tea parlour and cocktail bar, decked out like the imagined interior of a fairy light. This immersive space will feature:
- LED-eyed portraits of the heroes of electricity: Faraday, Volta, Hertz, Ampère, Ohm, Franklin, Swan and others
- Views of St Martin in the Bullring, a neo-gothic church seen through jewel-like iridescent dichroic film
- iLOOminated bathrooms – even the toilets will glow
- Carol-oke and sporadic Christmas games hosted by Mr Sprinkles and Glowstick
Once Upon a Time in Birmingham will serve drinks that glow, sparkle, and change colour, allowing guests to experience the tastes and smells of Christmas in the most brilliant way. In a world first, it will also offer crystal clear Christmas puddings that refract light like a prism - a magical twist on a festive staple.
Harry Parr, director of Bompas & Parr said: “We are aiming to turn Once Upon a Time in Birmingham into one of the most festive places on the planet, an ode to the fairy light.
The only thing I’m worried about is all the lights getting in a tangle – with over 9km of strings it’ll be a real challenge to unravel! Come revel with us this winter and lighten your spirits!”
Bullring & Grand Central General Manager, Stephanie Lacey, said: “Once Upon a Time in Birmingham will be a truly immersive experience that is not to be missed. At Bullring & Grand Central, we’ve got a great track record of putting on events that amaze and delight, and this will be no different. Birmingham has never seen anything like this before.”
You can catch ‘Once Upon A Time in Birmingham’ (November 14 to December 23) at the site of former Jamie’s Italian), Middle Mall, with walk-ups possible, but booking is recommended to avoid a party on the kerb.
