More than 100 top designers from across the globe have entered the race to win the design contract for a stunning new £1.5 million public square in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

Being developed as one of the first new projects within the Council's Big City Plan, the 'Golden Square' will provide a place for visitors and locals alike to meet, socialise and unwind, as well providing a public space for markets, exhibitions and events to take place.

Architectural practices from Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, France and Australia, as well as many local, regional and national firms, have all submitted initial bids to design the square from which an expert panel will now shortlist six bidders.

The shortlisted companies will then be asked to developed more detailed proposals and a concept design and attend interviews, before a winner is chosen and a final design agreed later this year.

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Cllr Neville Summerfield, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "The Jewellery Quarter is a wonderful asset to city centre, with its development being one of the key early priorities of the Big City Plan. That is why I am delighted that we have attracted such a stellar list of applicants to work with us in turning our vision into reality.

"The Golden Square will provide a fitting centrepiece to any already unique area, and is as important a component of the city's development as New Street, the new library or any Big City Plan development."

To judge the competition the Council has pulled together an impressive judging panel including Ruth Reed President Elect of the RIBA, panel chairman Andrew Taylor, Founding Partner of Patel Taylor Landscape Architecture practice and Professor Kathryn Moore, Past President of the Landscape Institute.

Currently out for public consultation and input, The Big City Plan is the UK’s largest ever master planning exercise and will shape the development of all aspects of life within Birmingham city centre over the next 25 years. As well as expanding the city centre from 80 to 800 hectares the plan will also help shape more than £17 billion of developments already in the pipeline, and much more future development besides.

(JM/KMcA)