Government High Streets Task Force meets local authority to map regeneration plans

Tamworth Borough Council welcomed representatives from the Department of Levelling Up as town centre stakeholders joined together to discuss much-needed regeneration plans. 

The visit, which was led by High Streets specialist expert, Graham Soult, who runs Gateshead-based Retail Consultancy, CannyInsights.com, was scheduled as due to high levels of inequality and the impact of Covid-19, Tamworth’s town centre has become seriously neglected.

During the meeting, the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities commissioned experts in partnership with a vast number of organisations, to identify 42 areas of specialism to help support local high streets.

Following this, a morning workshop took place, followed by a tour of the town and a look at the latest regeneration projects about to commence.

Some of the regeneration projects, which have in total cost £21m, include:

• Middle Entry renovations which will see some vacant units demolished to be replaced by a new, flexible multi-use building for independent businesses
• Restoration and refurbishment of the historic vacant properties on Market Street and creating a wider footbridge into castle grounds
• A new Enterprise Centre in the original 19^th Century former Co-operative building on Colehill
• Public realm works that will link all the projects together

The meeting, otherwise known as ‘Unlocking Your Place Potential’, was a recommendation of the government’s High Street 2030 Review, which called for additional capacity to support local authorities in transforming their high streets.

Describing the event, which took place at the beginning of this month, Graham said: ‘A very productive day with Tamworth’s High Streets Task Force and Unlocking your Place Potential workshop in Tamworth.

‘We discussed many great ideas with so much passion for place from the local representatives who attended, and an informative Tamworth Borough Council presentation.

‘It was a pleasure to meet a diverse mix of attendees, including representatives from the library, college, heritage attractions, shopping centre, business, civic society, community, and a major commercial property landlord, alongside those from the council itself.

‘We followed up the workshop with a useful town tour. I know Tamworth pretty well given that I grew up here and it’s where my mum still is; but it was still very productive to see and hear about what is happening in the town from other people’s perspectives.’

Councillor Paul Turner, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: ‘As we take steps forward with our plans for our town centre, it was great to talk with our High Streets Task Force and hear the great ideas and feedback about our regeneration ambitions.

‘Our plans are bold as we strive for a town centre fit for the future. Work behind the scenes getting us to this point has been extensive, and it is so good to see our plans begin to take shape on the ground.

‘We welcome the advice and support from high streets task force and look forward to working with them in the future to help further shape our plans to develop a town centre that meets the needs of businesses, residents and visitors now and into the future.’

Image: Gribgrab