- New open space and wider bridge now open to the public
- Improved views of Tamworth Castle from the town centre
- Major milestone in Future High Streets Fund regeneration programme
Tamworth Borough Council is pleased to announce the bridge between the Castle Grounds and town centre, known as Castle Gateway, is now complete.
This project is another major milestone in Tamworth Borough Council’s Future High Streets Fund regeneration programme.
The project has seen the demolition of the former 1970s Nationwide Building Society building and delivering a much-improved gateway into the Castle Grounds. The new widened bridge is now fully open to the public, giving residents and visitors better access into the historic grounds and enhanced views of the beautiful castle walls from the town centre.
The scheme has transformed what was once a narrow, hidden cut-through into a more attractive, open and accessible link. It provides a more welcoming entrance for people heading between the Castle Grounds and the town centre.
Specialist contractors worked in consultation with the council’s heritage and conservation team and Historic England to make sure the sensitive nature of the site was fully respected.
Councillor Carol Dean, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to see the new bridge connecting the castle and the town open.
“We’ve created a much more attractive and accessible route between the Castle Grounds and the town centre, and I believe it will play a big part in encouraging more people to explore all that Tamworth has to offer.
“This is a key step in the wider regeneration plans to create a vibrant, welcoming town centre for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
This project is one of several in the £21million Future High Streets Fund, helping to revitalise the town, boost local businesses and help to make the area a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
Minor finishing works around castle gateway are ongoing, as the final stages of public realm and paving works are delivered.
Future High Streets Fund regeneration
The Future High Streets Fund regeneration programme is nearing completion, including:
- The Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre; a new Enterprise Centre in the original 19th Century former Co-operative building on Colehill. (Complete)
- A wider footbridge into the castle grounds, to enhance the existing character and appearance of the conservation area. (Complete)
- Redevelopment of the former Peel Café, bringing a building back into active use. (Now complete, and the new home to the Nationwide Building Society).
- Refurbishments to St Editha’s Square. (Complete)
- Town Hall Place, seven individual multi-use retail units available to rent within a brand-new building next to Middle Entry. (Building complete, internal finishing ongoing).
- Public realm works that will link all the projects together. (Ongoing)
South Staffordshire College is now also open welcoming over 1,000 students every day.
Together, Tamworth Borough Council’s regeneration project and the new college deliver a combined investment of over £40million in the town centre.
For more information about the project and how it came about, please visit Transforming Tamworth | Tamworth Borough Council