The three digital eyes – which immediately greet visitors of our great city – have not generated adverts for years
New Street’s LED screens – which greet visitors to the city – have been switched off for years(Image: Reiss Omari)
The Bullring says it’s ‘not in a position’ to give an update on when New Street station’s LED screens will be turned back on – despite already being off for years.
The three digital screens, which all resemble Sauron’s Eye, are likely among the first landmarks that visitors notice when arriving into the city by train.
Or at least they would be if they were ever switched on.
READ MORE: Anger as Birmingham fountains in flagship square switched off for 18 months
The media eyes, located at the station’s three main entrances, have not generated adverts for years.
We understand its has been lights out on two of them since 2023 and even longer for the screen by Station Street, where John Lewis once stood proudly.
They join a list of other key Birmingham landmarks – such as Chamberlain Square and Centenary Square fountains – not currently in operation.
New Street’s LED screens – which greet visitors to the city – have been switched off for years(Image: Reiss Omari)
Both fountains have run dry and The River, better known as the ‘The Floozie in the Jacuzzi’, is only managing to dribble out water.
Hammerson, owners of the Bullring, also own the huge LED screens.
It told us earlier this week it was ‘undertaking a review of media assets’, including the screens, but that it wasn’t ‘in a position at this stage’ to give an update on ‘timings’ of when they might be switched back on.
Network Rail said it is solely Hammerson’s responsibility to manage the screens.
It is not clear if the screens need repairing.
Brummie Reiss Omari has campaigned for years for the media eyes to be plugged back in – telling his followers on social media that “Birmingham deserves better”.
Referring to the eye closest to Station Street, he said: “Four years since this been turned off.”
He continued: “It has to be at least two years since the other two screens were on.
“Imagine doing doing this in London? I think not.”
Do you miss the screens being on? Let us know in the comments below