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Those of you who have followed the blog for a while will know of The Bloke’s penchant for a good bit of LEGO, so you can imagine his delight when we discovered that a new LEGO store was coming to the Bullring & Grand Central in Birmingham city centre. Imagine his further excitement when we were invited to the preview event of the store on the evening before they opened their doors to the general public.
One of 16 UK stores, this new venue is part of the LEGO expansion across Europe, opening just a week before the new flagship store is unveiled in Amsterdam.
The Bloke was literally a man let loose in a LEGO store. With digital ribbon screens showcasing all the latest products, an exclusive Make and Take Birmingham Bull and Mini Figure to build, bricks to choose from on the massive Pick and Build Wall, ornaments to create for the Build to Give campaign and a whole bunch of sets that we don’t have any room in the house for, I was actually left HOLDING HIS CAMERA at one point while he ran around doing his thing and building everything that he could get his hands on. (The Birmingham Bull figure was particularly cute)
At the front of the store is a LEGO minifigure scanner that allows children to scan their handprint, selecting a Mini Figure for them on a screen. I was Batman, apparently.
I particularly like the Build to Give campaign concept. For every LEGO ornament built and posted online or in-store, LEGO will donate a set to a child in need. Following the 500,000 sets donated last year the brand have doubled their target for 2019, aiming to give 1 million sets.
It’s a great store, with lots of space and in a fantastic location on the upper tier of the Bullring (right next to the Bull statue entrance), and a fantastic place to purchase sets that are exclusive to LEGO stores and LEGO online, including the LEGO Friends Central Perk, the Stranger Things set and the Wooden Minifigure.
Looking for some great Christmas LEGO gifts? Check out the links below!
Harry Potter fans will love the LEGO Harry Potter Knight Bus Toy, Triple-decker Collectible Set with Minifigures
Star Wars fans will love the LEGO Star Wars Slave I – 20th Anniversary Edition: Boba Fett’s Starship
Superhero fans will love the LEGO Marvel Avengers Iron Man Hall of Armor, Modular Lab with 6 Marvel Universe Minifigures
What about creating your own with the LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box Construction Set
What are you waiting for, Brummies?
Suzie Speaks 
You reminded me… need to go to the Lego store!
Haha! Me too… again!
Lol!
I love Legos because they encourage thinking and creativity..you are building things, and for children that analytical thinking is vital..terrific post, so many great ideas
Exactly! I’ve seen so many things about questions being asked about childhood toys in interviews, and if they give an answer of building LEGO it is seen as something positive for exactly the reasons you said
I love their Build To Give initiative. Are you ever tempted just buy a ton of mini figures from pop culture?
Oh totally. I don’t build Lego but I get a massive buzz from buying it for The Bloke and watching his face as he opens it haha!
Awww, that’s so sweet ^_^
“we don’t have any room in the house for …”
You know what that means. Time to move to a house that is twice the size. :o)
I totally agree haha! I’m going to show The Bloke this haha!
have had this up waiting for time to read it. I am so glad you were able to join in on the opening of the store. I know that Disney World has a huge store in their downtown area that you would love. Hope you are doing well, Cathi
Oh my gosh yes – I think The Bloke would move in!