Heading to the High Street to find YOUR views on town

AS Tamworth town centre regeneration plans ramp up, reporter NICK HORNER ventured out into the high street to talk to shoppers and local residents about their thoughts and suggestions on the multi-million pound scheme and what can be done to improve the area.

THIS week I visited an ancient capital to find out what people thought of its modern-day incarnation.

A town centre, like many others, looking to battle the triple threats of out-of-town shopping centres – except this one’s is less than a mile away, internet shopping and Covid.

Tamworth, once capital of Mercia, one of three Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, has a castle at its heart, but its battle now isn’t against Vikings – more Amazonians, those shopping with the internet giant and not spending their cash in Market Street or Middle Entry.

The town’s other major battle is of its own doing. Ventura Park is a bustling, sprawling retail Mecca, packed with big stores, restaurants and free parking.

Tamworth town centre is being tackled with a £40 million revamp plan, with more than £20 million of Future High Streets Fund Government cash, some from external partners and the rest from Tamworth Borough Council.

Proposals include flattening the Co-op building to build a new South Staffordshire College building, revamping Middle Entry, removing the Nationwide building to open up the link from the town to the Castle Grounds and a transformation of St Editha’s Square into a multi-purpose outdoor space.

As I wandered in via Lower Gungate, I stepped into Wyldes – a Tamworth town centre landmark, and itself a step back in time for those of a certain age.

Lydia Byron now manages the shop and described Tamworth as ‘heaven’ – the community spirit, the friendliness and pace of life – when compared to her previous time in England’s capital.

Lydia, 25, said: “I moved up from London and this is heaven by comparison.

“The fact people aren’t always rushing about everywhere. And it’s not aggressive like London.”