Huge boost for Birmingham New Street since Ozzy the bull’s arrival

Birmingham New Street has seen 52% more visitors since Ozzy the bull’s official homecoming to the station concourse last week.

The much-loved icon of last year’s Commonwealth Games* was unveiled to large crowds in his permanent home under the station's atrium roof on Wednesday 26 July.

A public vote saw the bull named Ozzy, after Birmingham born and bred Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

His TV celebrity wife Sharon and older sister Jean were guests of honour at the big reveal live on TV.

Over his first seven days towering above passengers and making his hourly roars, 915,145 people were recorded in the station.

That’s compared to 602,512 in the same period the week before – a rise of 52%.

Steven Ireland, Network Rail Central route head of customer service, said: “We knew people loved the bull, but I don’t think the station team quite expected just how much. People are enthralled by his movements and it’s been amazing to see young and old coming to visit and taking selfies with our big beast right at the heart of Britain’s railway network. These latest figures show just how loved Ozzy is, and that it’s a great driver to get people onto the railway and into the city centre to see the great things it has on offer.”

Both organisations worked together with the Birmingham 2022 Games organisers** to secure the future of the iconic artwork, when it was removed from public display last September.

In February it was revealed that New Street station would become the bull's permanent pen, and a major six-month redesign and rebuilding project began***.

It saw:

• Approx 50% of the original bull retained with the other half remade.
• New mechanisms installed so the bull can move its mouth, head, eyes, eyelids, and tail, and speakers to make it roar.
• The opportunity was taken to rebuild the legs and underside which will now be seen in full 360 degrees.
• The bull being painstakingly dismantled, trucked to the station and rebuilt
• Over 7,000 hours of work to make all of this happen

You can follow Ozzy himself on X, formerly known as Twitter, by visiting @BrummieBull, and get further updates on the @NetworkRailBHM account.

People posting photographs online are encouraged to use the hashtag #OzzyNewStreet.

During Ozzy’s first week, Birmingham Festival 23 has also been taking place in Centenary Square and continues until this Sunday (6 August).

For more information you can visit: www.birminghamfestival23.co.uk