First glimpse at city's future

The public will be allowed in on Sunday

The hoardings have been lifted briefly to allow the first preview of the future centre of England's self-proclaimed second city.

Photographers were given a glimpse of what lies behind the scaffolding at the redevelopment of Birmingham's famous Bull Ring, due to reopen in September 2003.

The 1960s concrete sprawl was demolished in 2001 as part of a major scheme to redesign the centre of the city.

On Sunday, 2,000 members of the public will also be allowed to look behind the scenes as part of the city's Discovery Day.

The new Bullring will open in September 2003

Vic Michel, the project co-ordinator, explained the new design to BBC Midlands Today.

"People will walk down New Street and the idea is they will come into an area that still feels like daylight although there will be no rain or snow or anything like that.

"I personally consider this to be absolutely pivotal in the way Birmingham is developing."

The 26-acre site will incorporate more than 100 shops, cafes and restaurants on three levels.

The new building is supported by 300 steel columns buried between the lines at New Street station.

About 1,000 workers are involved in the construction, which is Europe's biggest shopping development.

Developers say it is slightly ahead of its target opening date.