- Second hub for businesses to open soon
- New name will reflect building’s rich past
- Businesses invited to enquire now about serviced office space
Tamworth Borough Council is pleased to announce, the new serviced office facility in Tamworth is nearing completion following the sympathetic renovation of a 19th century building in the heart of the town centre. This work is part of the council’s Future High Streets Fund regeneration programme and is the second project to be complete.
The beautiful art nouveau 19th century building was formerly home to Tamworth Co-operative Society for more than 120 years, the Colehill building will soon reopen with a new purpose, and a new name which celebrates its rich past.
Set over three floors, Tamworth Borough Council’s second enterprise centre is made up of 14 offices, ranging in size from 20m² to 65m², alongside communal areas, kitchens and meeting rooms.
While the building has been brought up to date to provide modern facilities for 21st century businesses, many of its original features have been uncovered and lovingly restored.
In further celebration of that heritage, the centre will be named after Tamworth Co-operative Society’s first ever employee, Elizabeth Bradford.
It will be known as the Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre, providing a home to growing Tamworth businesses for years to come.
Historic records suggest Elizabeth Bradford was employed in 1886 at the Co-op’s first shop in Church Street, before it relocated to the much bigger Colehill premises in 1897.
It’s written that Elizabeth was employed on a wage of nine shillings for a 70-hour week, with a grand total of £3 being taken on the first day of trading on December 10. This rose to £15 for the first week and, after 10 weeks, her pay was increased to 10 shillings.
We’d love to know more about Elizabeth and encourage any relatives, or anyone with information about her, to get in touch.
Councillor Carol Dean, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “This building was home to Tamworth Co-operative Society for the best part of 125 years, so it feels only fitting that we take a piece of that history into the next chapter.
“We’d love to find out even more about Elizabeth Bradford, such as where she lived, how long she worked at the Co-op and what happened to her, it would be wonderful to hear from anyone who can help shed some light on her story.
“Deciding on a new name for the council’s second enterprise centre is an exciting milestone in getting this much-needed facility up and running for the town’s thriving community of growing businesses.”
Anyone with information about Elizabeth can email communications@tamworth.gov.uk.
The Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre will complement the council’s first enterprise centre at Philip Dix House in Corporation Street, which has been fully let since it first opened in 2017.
While Tamworth Enterprise Centre offers small offices and flexible leases for start-ups, the Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre’s larger offices provide the perfect location for businesses in their next stage of growth.
During the renovation, many historic features were uncovered and, where possible, have been restored and repaired. These include an ornate staircase with decorative 3D tiles and balustrades, parquet flooring, cornicing, exposed brickwork, stained glass windows, wooden beams and arches, topped off with a beautifully renovated cupola. Some of these had been hidden for many years.
Any businesses interested in taking office space in either the Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre or the Philip Dix centre can find out more by emailing tec@tamworth.gov.uk.
Transforming Tamworth
The work is part of Tamworth Borough Council’s ambitious £21million regeneration plans to restore the town centre as the thriving heart of the community. This includes:
- Restoration and refurbishment of the historic vacant properties on Market Street
- A new wider gateway to Tamworth Castle grounds, including the demolition of the building previously occupied by Nationwide Building Society. This has moved across the street into the fully restored former Peel Café.
- New flexible, multi-use building for independent small businesses, near Middle Entry and the Town Hall
- Public realm works that will link all the projects together, including St Editha’s Square.
In addition, South Staffordshire College is progressing with building a new college facility replacing the demolished 1960s part of the Co-op building. Together the projects deliver a combined investment of over £40million in Tamworth town centre.
It provides a once in a generation opportunity to develop a town centre that meets the needs of 21st century shoppers, residents and businesses.
Visit the Tamworth Borough Council website for more information on: Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre | Tamworth Borough Council.
For more information on all regeneration plans, visit www.transformingtamworth.co.uk