Recently, I visited Birmingham New Street Station, a fantastic piece of modern architecture in the UK, eager to capture its impressive structure with my camera. Equipped with my tripod, I was ready to take some wide-angle shots for my personal photography portfolio. However, my plans were quickly interrupted by a member of the station’s security staff.
I was informed that “professional photography” was not permitted without prior authorization. Despite explaining that I was simply a hobbyist taking photos for personal use in what I believed to be a public space, I was told that the upper level of the station was considered private property and required a “photography pass”. Interestingly, the security personnel indicated that phone and small camera photography was acceptable, but my larger camera was deemed unsuitable. Frustrated and without taking any photographs, I decided to leave and investigate this policy further.
The station is structured across three levels: platforms at level -1, the main concourse at level 0, and a commercial area on level +1, all seamlessly connected by escalators. The location where I encountered the security staff was on this upper level, as depicted in the image below.
Birmingham New Street Station
My initial reaction was confusion, leading me to research online for similar experiences. I discovered a forum post from 2016 on Talk Photography where another photographer recounted a strikingly similar encounter at Birmingham New Street Station. This suggested that my experience wasn’t an isolated incident.
Further investigation led me to the Network Rail website, the governing body for many UK railway stations. Their official policy explicitly states that photography is allowed at stations, especially highlighting Birmingham New Street after its recent and admired renovation. The previous photographer who faced similar issues had even contacted Network Rail and received an apologetic response, clarifying that photography is indeed welcomed.
This discrepancy led me to consider whether the upper level (+1) of Birmingham New Street Station, where the incident occurred, is classified differently. It’s connected to the Bullring Shopping Centre, and upon checking the Bullring’s photo policy, I found a policy that seemed to align with what the security staff had told me – suggesting stricter rules within their premises.
To gain clarity, I reached out to Network Rail directly via email, explaining my experience. Their prompt response was incredibly helpful and illuminating. They clarified that while Network Rail encourages photography within the station concourse (level 0 and below), the upper level, known as Grand Central shopping centre, operates under separate management and photography policies. Network Rail admitted they have no jurisdiction over photography within Grand Central and suggested contacting Grand Central or Bullring directly for their policies, providing contact details.
Following Network Rail’s advice, I contacted Grand Central to request permission for photography. I explained my hobbyist photographer status, my intent to capture architectural shots of the station for my portfolio, and assured them the images were for non-commercial use. I emphasized my willingness to be discreet, avoid peak hours, and share the photos for their review.
To my delight, after emailing Grand Central, I received a positive response granting me permission to photograph the station from their premises. This experience highlights the importance of understanding the different zones within Birmingham New Street Station. While Network Rail welcomes photography in the main station areas, the Grand Central shopping centre above has its own regulations. Ultimately, a polite inquiry and clear communication led to a successful and positive outcome, allowing me to capture the photographs I desired of Birmingham New Street Station.
