Where is Mell Square?

Mell Square is between Mill Lane and Drury Lane in Solihull, B91 3AZ

 

In brief

Mell Square is the main public shopping square in Solihull Town Centre. Long term retailers include: Boots, WH Smith and Costa Coffee. BHS and Marks & Spencer moved out in recent years. The square was developed in the mid 1960s and named after the Town Planner William Maurice Mell (in 1966 the year after he died aged 56). The square had a refurbishment in the mid 1980s. For many years Costa was in the centre of the square, but they relocated in 2019 to make way for the Taste Collective.

Towards Costa in Mell Square, Solihull (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Mell Square - history

The Mell Square shopping development was built between 1962 and 1965 after the demolition of many old buildings in Drury Lane and Mill Lane.

It was officially named in 1966 in honour of William Maurice Mell, Town Clerk 1947-65.

Mell Square was refurbished in the 1980s.

1987-88 plaque at Mell Square, Solihull (November 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

William Maurice Mell

Maurice Mell was the first borough clerk when Solihull was given county status, and was the mastermind behind the Mell Square development.

Mell was Town Clerk from 1946 to 1965, he died on 19 March 1965 aged 56.

Bronze plaque from 1984 in memory of William Maurice Mell, Town Clerk who planned modern Solihull (May 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Lost fountains

There used to be fountains in Mell Square from when it was officially opened in 1967 until the mid to late 1980s redevelopment of the square. Cars were still able to drive around the square until the 1980s.

Fountains in Mell Square, Solihull (1984). Birmingham Mail / Solihull News archive

 

After the Central Café was built in place of the larger fountains only a smaller fountain remained close to Boots and Woolworths. But this too was removed by the mid 2000s.

Fountains in Mell Square, Solihull (2002). Birmingham Mail / Solihull News archive

 

By the late 2000s, the small fountain had gone, and the site had been covered over. In the years since it has been used for a variety of events.

Outdoor seating at the Taste Collective in Mell Square, Solihull (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

For instance over the school summer holidays of 2011, there was a children's paddling pool, but as an artificial beach, outside of Costa, and deckchairs on the site that used to have the small fountain.

Outdoor seating at the Taste Collective in Mell Square, Solihull (August 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Costa / Taste Collective

There used to be a fountain but it was removed decades ago.

In the centre of the square used to be Costa Coffee.

Snow in Mell Square towards Costa Coffee (January 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

But they relocated close to Poplar Way in 2019.

To make way for the Taste Collective, which opened in 2020.

Outdoor seating at the Taste Collective in Mell Square, Solihull (March 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Family Outing statue

The Norwich Union Insurance Group commissioned this statue called Family Outing. It was made in 1985 by the sculptor John Ravera. It was part of the mid 1980s refurbishment works of Mell Square, of which the first stage was completed by 1987-88.  The statue can be found to the back of the square, what was Costa (until 2019), and now Taste Collective (since 2020). It was facing BHS which closed down in 2016. This shop is now Dunelm.

Family Outing statue in Mell Square, Solihull (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

Website: Mell Square

Facebook: Mell Square

Twitter: Mell Square

Instagram: Mell Square