A number of ‘big move’ proposals to transform Sutton Coldfield town centre will be shared with residents, community groups and businesses as part of a ‘masterplan’ public consultation. 

Over the next three weeks, consultants from urban design and planning experts Tibbalds CampbellReith will present their vision for Sutton Coldfield town centre and the associated ‘Big Moves’ to deliver this, which include:

• Closing Brassington Avenue to through-traffic, allowing two-way traffic on Victoria Road and Queen Street, and improving walking and cycling links between Parade, Birmingham Road, Sutton Park and the High Street
• Improving Station Street and the top of Parade to develop a fitting entrance to the town and better connect the £20m HS2 Gateway and train station with the town centre
• Creating a series of new public squares to become meeting places within the town centre, regularly hosting markets, art installations and engaging events, with a new Royal Sutton Coldfield library and cultural facility/museum adjacent to one of these
• Supporting various shopping centres to diversify and attract more leisure, restaurant, bar and café operators alongside high-quality and niche retailers
• Encouraging more and sympathetic residential development to continue to bring people into the town centre
• Providing more office space, ranging from hot-desks to grow the latest generation of Sutton Coldfield entrepreneurs through to flexible offices that support businesses wishing to scale-up and stay in the town centre

The consultation launches today and runs until Monday 9 March.

The first phase of the town centre masterplan was commissioned in November 2019 by the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership and part-funded via Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP)’s Towns and Local Centres funding, to help Sutton Coldfield adapt to the struggles seen in town centres across the UK.

Phase one of the £150,000 masterplan has already seen Tibbalds CampbellReith carry out initial research with shoppers, landowners and businesses to better understand how, when and why people use and want to visit the town centre.

This work has informed the ‘Big Move’ proposals.

Representatives in the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership include Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Birmingham City Council, GBSLEP, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, FOLIO Sutton Coldfield, Sutton Coldfield BID, West Midlands Combined Authority and Transport for West Midlands.

Community groups and local businesses have been invited to attend dedicated consultation workshops with public drop-in sessions taking place on Saturday 22 February between 10am and 5pm in the town centre and on Thursday 27 February at Mere Green Community Centre (12.30pm – 2.30pm), St John’s Church, Walmley (12pm – 2pm), St Emmanuel’s Church, Wylde Green (12pm – 2pm) and Communitea Café, Boldmere (12pm – 2pm).

An opportunity for online feedback will also be available via www.tiny.cc/suttonmasterplan 

Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and chairman of the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership, Councillor Simon Ward, said: "Our community must be at the very heart of a reimagined town centre and with the input of residents of all ages, community groups and local businesses we will be able to move forward confidently, knowing that we are delivering a vision and masterplan that is something that people really want. 

"This work will restore the fortunes of our Royal Town and give us a centre we can all be really proud of and that investors will aspire to be a part of."  

Katie Hale, president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is what Sutton Coldfield has needed for some time and this is now the opportunity for businesses to speak up.

“It is our chance to have a say in what will make our Royal Town a great place to work, live and visit.

“Let’s work together to create a town with a unique appeal to new and growing businesses.”

Phase two of the masterplan will provide further detail on how to fund and deliver the Big Move proposals and bring crucial investment into the town centre.

The presentation of the masterplan phase one document is expected in April 2020.