00:00Rackham's has been part of Birmingham's city centre story for generations. More recently
00:06the department store traded as House of Fraser. But for many Brummies the building never stopped
00:12being Rackham's. It closed in June ending a chapter in the city's retail history. Now developer
00:19Spear Group wants to give the site a new future. Its Rackham's place proposals include more than
00:26500 homes, offices, shops, food and drink venues and improved public spaces. The company says the
00:34scheme could also create around 1300 jobs. The plans have not yet been formally submitted.
00:41Sphere Group has opened a public consultation first giving residents the chance to view the proposals,
00:48speak to the project team and submit feedback before the company decides what's going into its
00:54planning application. The development also forms part of Birmingham City Council's wider
00:59Central Heart Vision which aims to bring new uses to underused commercial retail and office space.
01:07Any eventual scheme would still need to go through the planning process before work could begin.
01:13Spear Group says it wants development to reflect the site's history while creating new uses for the
01:20future. Managing Director Thomas Taylor says the company wants to hear from Birmingham residents before a
01:26formal application is prepared and submitted.
