A huge increase in visitors of around 52% has been seen by Birmingham New Street station since the official homecoming of ‘Ozzy’ the Bull last week. The mechanical metal sculpture is now permanently located on the station’s concourse but prior to this was the iconic ‘Raging Bull’ of the popular Commonwealth Games, which took place in 2022.

A massive 915,145 people have been recorded at the station over the first week since Ozzy’s official arrival compared to the same period the week before of 602,512, marking a 52% increase!

The bull was named ‘Ozzy’ in an overwhelming public vote in honour of Birmingham legend Ozzy Osbourne with the official opening, which was held live on TV, attended by his wife, Sharon Osbourne and sister Jean.

The giant bull found its new home at the station thanks to a collaboration between Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority who also worked together during the Birmingham Games last year, in order to secure the future of the impressive artwork after its work at the games was complete.

February saw Birmingham New Street named as the mechanical bull’s new home, which saw the start of a 6-month project to redesign and rebuild the sculpture in order for it to work with the safety requirements of the station concourse which involved:

• Around 50% of the original bull was remade with the other 50% able to be retained
• New mechanisms installed which allow ‘Ozzy’ to move its mouth, head, eyes, eyelids, and tail alongside speakers to make it roar.
• The underside and legs have been rebuilt so that the mechanical beast can be fully viewed over 360 degrees
• The painstaking dismantling of the bull before being moved to Birmingham New Street where it was rebuilt on the concourse
• More than 7,000 hours of work have taken place to see the sculpture welcomed into its new home

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.”

Fans of Ozzy the Bull can keep up to date with the latest goings on by following on X (formerly Twitter) on @BrummieBull and on @NetworkRailBHM, people sharing their pics of Ozzy are encouraged to use the hashtag #OzzyNewStreet.