Bosses hail town's 'once-in-a-lifetime' overhaul

The final phase of a major redevelopment scheme will mark the completion of a "once-in-a-generation" overhaul of a town centre, according to council bosses.

The £21m project in Tamworth, which began in 2020, has been paid for with money from the government's Future High Streets Fund.

The local authority said it aimed to address a decline in footfall as well as the town's "dated" appearance.

The project has also helped connect the town's three ancient monuments - Tamworth Castle, the town hall and St Editha's Church.

"We're incredibly proud of what's been achieved," said council leader Carol Dean.

"Beautiful historic buildings have been bought back to life, stunning new spaces have been created for people to enjoy, and there are now opportunities for education, enterprise and independent businesses to thrive."

She said residents had been "incredibly patient" during the work, which had brought about "somewhere people want to visit, not just somewhere they have to visit".

This year, the scheme has included restoration of the Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre in Colehill to provide 14 serviced offices, as well as the relocation of the Nationwide Building Society and creation of the Castle Gateway.

St Editha's Square has been refurbished with new paving and lighting, and seven new industrial units have been created at the purpose-built Town Hall Place building which is due to open in the new year.

Combined with South Staffordshire College's new facility in St Editha's Square, which opened in September, bosses said there has been investment of more than £40m in Tamworth town centre.

The final project in the regeneration programme – restoring three Grade II listed properties on Market Street next to Tamworth Castle – will begin in the spring.

Council bosses added that once the scheme was finished, their future ambitions included further regeneration in the Gungate area.

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