As Tamworth Borough Council progress plans for the town centre Future High Streets project, work on St Editha’s Square will start from 11 November. To allow the work, all street traders and market traders who use the square are temporarily moving to other parts of the town.
The last day of market trading on St Editha’s square is Saturday 9 November, after this date market traders that use the square will relocate to temporary locations on Lower Gungate or George Street.
Traders relocating to Lower Gungate are Spudman, Jerk Chicken, Gaytons Bakery, vape stall and the pet stall.
On market days, the carpet stall, butcher and fish van will temporarily move to George Street.
The last day of trading for street traders is Friday 8 November. This will mean that Spudman, vape stall and pet stall, will be open for business at their new temporary location on Lower Gungate.
The improvements to St Editha’s square are another project to enhance the Tamworth town centre as part of the wider Future High Street Programme.
The work includes:
- Removing the steps, to make the whole area accessible for all and replacing with decorative paving
- Removing existing trees, replacing with six native trees around the square
- New benches and bike racks
- Replacing security bollards
- New lights throughout the area
- Repaving part of College Lane
The project is part of a wider programme of regeneration schemes to transform Tamworth town centre. When fully delivered, regeneration plans will see:
- A new Enterprise Centre in the original 19th Century former Co-operative building on Colehill.
- Remedial works to preserve historic vacant properties on Market Street (opposite Peel Café) with a wider footbridge into the castle grounds.
- Redeveloped building replicating the original Georgian style of the former Peel Café, bringing a building back into active use.
- Middle Entry renovations which with some vacant units demolished to be replaced by a new flexible, multi-use building for independent small businesses.
- Public realm works that will link all the projects together.
Councillor Carol Dean, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We are working with and supporting our market and street traders, to provide suitable temporary locations while these works take place.
“We want to reassure our visitors to town, that the market is still very much open, and we will be signposting people to the temporary locations.
“The St Editha’s Square project will provide a more high-quality and relaxing space, complimenting South Staffordshire College’s work to build a new college in the heart of the town, and will see an enhanced space created with benches and level access by removing the steps and creating an even surface throughout.
“A lot of work is happening in the town, but Tamworth town centre remains open for business, with St Editha’s square and Middle Entry shops open throughout.
“We’re keeping the public, local businesses and market operators updated with all our plans and any street or road closures. We aim to minimise disruption to town centre businesses the best we can.”
More information about the Future High Streets Fund is available online: Future High Streets Fund: call for proposals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Notes:
Tamworth was awarded £21.65 million from the Future High Streets Fund to transform the town centre into the busy, thriving heart of the community.