What: Grand Central, a shopping destination in Birmingham, is losing 200,000 sq feet of retail space as commercial property giant, Hammerson plans to transform a former department store into offices.

Why it is important: The plans from Hammerson are a sign of how property giants are branching out from retail and repurposing empty retail space.

The commercial property giant, Hammerson, has announced plans to transform the former John Lewis department store into offices at Grand Central in Birmingham. This move further shows that property giants are branching out from retail and repurposing empty retail space.

The plan has accelerated with the large number of department stores closing across the UK, which was happening before the pandemic.

More retail space lost as Hammerson reveals Grand Central plans