The Gungate Precinct is set to be knocked down in a few weeks’ time, Tamworth Borough Council and developer Henry Boot Developments have announced.

The demolition date has been fixed for the week commencing 6th September and is expected to take between 12 and 16 weeks to complete.

The precinct will be used as a temporary car park while plans for the new shopping centre are put in place, providing almost 300 extra parking spaces for the town.

This new development will bring new jobs, enhance the local economy and giving the town centre a boost.

The shopping centre opened its doors in August 1965 with its official opening in October 1966.  During the last forty years the precinct has seen a wide range of shops, including Housewife’s Choice, Henry Moore’s jewellers, Hindley’s cake shop and the Dragon Chinese restaurant, to name just a few.

This page will be updated as demolition progresses, along with answering any questions and answers.

Anyone with questions should contact John Gunn, Development Control Manager at Tamworth Borough Council on 01827 709288. Alternatively email john-gunn@tamworth.gov.uk

Your questions answered

What buildings will be knocked down?

All the Gungate shops and the former Co-op dairy buildings. Bennetts Taxi Rank and properties fronting Marmion Street will be retained at this stage.

What will replace Gungate?

A 286 car park will be built until the retail development work gets underway. Architects are working on a detailed final design.

How long will the car park built in its place remain?

A temporary car park can remain in place for up to three years. This will be operated as a pay and display site

How long until the area is redeveloped?

Henry Boot now has up to three years to agree a detailed scheme with the Borough Council. Once this is agreed, the developer has two years to commence development.

when can the public comment on the designs?

Once the architects have completed their detailed drawings they will be submitted to the Borough Council for approval. At this stage the Council will ask for people’s views, before making any decision.

The final scheme will need to be a high quality design that recognises the site’s location in the historic heart of the town near to residential properties such as the Almshouses.

How will you dispose of the material onsite?

The buildings will be demolished and where possible materials recycled. The brick and concrete will be crushed on site and some will be used reused to create the temporary car park, metal reinforcement used in the building will be separated out and recycled. Any surplus material will be taken from the site to a suitable disposal site.