Student Life 2013/14 January 2014 | Page 26

The amazing shopping. best thing for a first date, boasting row upon row of sofas. These are available for a little extra money and are perfect for sidling up to that special person. It also has the added bonus of being able to text in your drinks order! After the film, you could head to another hidden treasure in Birmingham’s centre, Bodega; a South Americaninspired restaurant - don’t hesitate to order the nachos!.For anyone who is tired of Selly Oak, the town of Harborne is another hidden gem. It’s incredibly close to the University and offers everything that Selly Oak doesn’t. There are lots of great little coffee shops, cute gift shops, restaurants and gastro pubs, making it the perfect town for a civilised meal out with friends and the best place to head for on a first date. One of my favourite places to go to is The Plough, a gastro pub with a villagey feel. Bear it in mind for special events, like a flatmate’s birthday or a nice house Christmas meal. worst thing BEST THINGS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM The Bullring shopping centre is definitely the best thing about Birmingham. The crowds around New Street and in the Bullring. 26 The choice of shops is great and there’s something to suit every budget. Even if you’re not looking to spend money, it’s a great place to spend the day. Selfridges’ food hall is a great place to grab a quick lunch, and the rest of the shop is great fun to look around; don’t miss the jellybean Bull! Every student should check out Forever 21; the prices are low but the clothes are bang on trend, and there’s even a fairly large men’s section and a coffee shop to distract any lesskeen shoppers. The area around the shopping centre is great too, with New Street being the main draw. In the run up to Christmas, the street transforms into a German Christmas Market, which is a lot of fun to explore. WORST THINGS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM The crowds in Birmingham can at times be unbearable, especially on New Street and outside the Bullring. And trying to have lunch in a restaurant at midday on a Saturday is next to impossible without a reservation. www.accommodationforstudents.com