Birmingham's The Square Shopping Centre has welcomed five new tenants, bringing occupancy levels to 97 per cent, with centre bosses reporting 'buoyant' business.

Centre manager Yvonne Moulton said: "The Square is rapidly asserting itself as the home of independent retail and entertainment in Birmingham.

"Our sensible approach to leasing and a creative marketing strategy while encouraging and retaining some of the West Midlands most exciting and eclectic businesses has resulted in excellent occupancy levels. Watch out Camden!"

Yvonne said a recent announcement of the arrival of The Ballroom, Birmingham which is due to open its doors in September, as well as the newly launched Hairy Lemon bar and eatery, which also hosts live music nights, meant there was a renewed buzz around the centre.

Coupled with the renewal of the Oasis fashion store's lease and new independent coffee shop Coffee Time, the scheme is going from strength-to-strength, said Yvonne.

Weekly live entertainment, live art and music events are also proving popular - bringing a festival vibe to the heart of the city every Saturday during the summer.

A new grassed area with specially commissioned and decorated picnic tables and benches has also been drawing in the crowds at lunchtime.

Coffee Time owner Monika Salawa said trade was brisk during her opening weekend last week and that her team had enjoyed a warm welcome to The Square.

"The music, sunny weather and diverse mix of people gives The Square a real character; I have been overwhelmed by the interest and engagement from everyone involved. Our ice-cream and milkshakes proved very popular in the recent sunny weather," added Monika.

Yvonne said: "There's still plenty of interest in The Square from prospective tenants, with dress designer Aisse Badiane the latest to take up a place. She hopes to be open by the end of July."

Aisse Boutique is the designer's first retail venture, and she chose The Square because it has such a great diversity of shoppers and the management team understand the needs of a small independent businesses. .

"Many of my new designs for the boutique are aimed at the high street, quite young and funky, so I thought immediately of the university students, but The Square has such a great fusion of shoppers, I think my shop will appeal to lots of people. 

"I hope to offer something for everyone - I also intend to do some plus sizes - so it seemed like a great venue for me. I am so excited about opening, I can't quite believe it," said Aisse.

Yvonne added "We keep reading about doom and gloom on the High Street and how small businesses are faltering, but coming to work at The Square every day where so many hardworking and creative individuals have unique independent offerings, is a real boost.

"The owner of the asset recently investigated a significant amount money in cleaning and decorating and this has paid dividends, we're experiencing a new lease of life in!"

"The Ballroom is great news for The Square and along with Scruffy Murphys and The Bitter Lemon we now have a really attractive reason to come to Dale End, many of our other retailers will naturally benefit from the new openings"

The Hairy Lemon is a modern take on traditional English pubs, and its owners believed The Square was just the right venue for its latest bar. Chris Sherry, one of the business's partners, explained that there is still more to come for Birmingham revellers.

"We are opening the downstairs area on August 5, which will be the Bitter End, a luxurious, laid back lounge and club, with live music until late each weekend," said Chris.

"Since the recession hit, landlords have been reluctant to spend anything on pubs, but we want to put some life back into the industry, and are confident we'll attract plenty of people at The Square."

Formerly known as the Carling Academy, The Hummingbird and the Top Rank Ballroom,  The Ballroom's new title is a reference to the original usage of the venue back in the 60s.

The Ballroom will be three venue spaces on one site, with capacities ranging from 200 for mainly local and new touring bands to 3,100 for larger touring shows and events.

Managing director Steve Forster said: "We would really like to see the site to become a creative hub for Birmingham. We are looking to involve as many local businesses as possible in the venture and will actively look to encourage new promoters and musicians to become involved.

"We very much see this as being a real place for musicians and event people to meet and exchange ideas, we will be open late as an after bar and club for the people in the industry.

"Across the site we really want to be a home for the disenfranchised somewhere for people who are creative but feel less comfortable with the corporatisation of music and venues."