- Former Peel Café completes hand over to building society
- Work replicates original Georgian style
- Scaffolding in place around vacant Market Street properties for access work for repairs programme
Tamworth Borough Council are delighted to formally hand over the former Peel Café on Market Street and new building to Nationwide Building Society, as Tamworth’s Future High Street Fund project makes significant progress.
The completed building, which replicates the original Georgian style, has now been handed over to Nationwide Building Society who will complete the shop front and interior fitting.
The work is part of the council’s ambitious regeneration plans which will see over £21million invested into the town centre.
Other sites of the council’s transformation plans are also progressing well. The interior work on the new Enterprise Centre in the original 19th century former Co-operative building on Colehill, is being delivered at pace, with the aim of opening this financial year. The scaffolding is expected to also be removed very soon.
Behind the hoarding at the bottom of Middle Entry, groundworks are taking place to the area before a new flexible, multi-use building for independent small businesses is constructed throughout.
And scaffolding is now in place around Market Street properties as initial works to scope out what is needed for the repairs programme of these historic buildings. This is in full consultation with the conservation officer and Historic England.
Throughout all the work, though there will be disruption, but the town centre and market remain ready to welcome visitors for shopping, socialising and leisure. Tamworth Borough Council is working closely with market suppliers LSD to offer any market traders unable to access their usual pitch an alternative.
Tamworth Borough Council’s ambitious £21million regeneration plan to transform the town centre into the busy, thriving heart of the community will continue with plans to:
- Create a new Enterprise Centre in the original 19th Century former Co-operative building on Colehill.
- Restoration and refurbishment of the historic vacant properties on Market Street (opposite Peel Café) and creating a wider footbridge into the castle grounds.
- New flexible, multi-use building for independent small businesses.
- Public realm works that will link all the projects together.
Additionally, South Staffordshire College is progressing with building a new college facility replacing the demolished 1960s part of the Co-op building. Together both projects deliver a combined investment of over £40million in Tamworth town centre.
This investment is a once in a generation opportunity to develop a town centre that meets the needs of 21st century shoppers, residents and businesses.
Councillor Nova Arkney, Portfolio Holder for infrastructure, heritage and local economy, said: “It’s good to see the work on this wonderful property now completed, bringing a vacant property back into use.
“The next phase of work is progressing on our regeneration project; there have been many years of work behind the scenes to reach this point, and I’m glad local people can see the plans progressing.
“Our work developing the new Tamworth Enterprise Centre is expected to be complete in the autumn and I am excited to see these great additions to our town.
“Throughout the regeneration work and disruption, I want to reassure residents and visitors that the town and market are still very much active, and I’d urge everyone to continue to support our local businesses and shop, socialise and visit the town centre.”
Notes:
See our website and previous press releases for further information about Tamworth’s Future High Streets Fund project:
https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/planning-permission-approved-middle-entry-refurbishment
https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/Co-op-demolition-work-begins
https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/plans-approved-second-tamworth-enterprise-centre
https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/plans-approved-part-multi-million-pound-town-centre-regeneration#
https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/FHSF-Coop
More information about the Future High Streets Fund is available online.