- Plans submitted for properties 26a, 27, and 27a Market Street
- Final project in the council's Future High Street Fund regeneration programme
- Plans will see properties restored and bought back into active use
Tamworth Borough Council's ambitious £21million Future High Street Fund regeneration project continues with the submission of the planning application for 26a, 27, and 27a Market Street.
The plans, which mark the final project in the council's Future High Street Fund transformation project, seek to bring these historic properties next to Tamworth Castle back into active use.
Approval is sought to carry out comprehensive restoration and refurbishment works to the three Grade II listed buildings. The proposals include structural repairs to make the buildings watertight and safe, re-roofing, façade restoration, and internal upgrades to meet current fire safety standards. Ground floors will be refurbished for town centre uses which could include retail or artisan use, while a new compliant stair tower will replace the existing unsafe structure.
The heritage and conservation officer has been consulted on the plans before being submitted to make sure plans are for a responsible and sympathetic restoration.
This is all part of Tamworth Borough Council's ambitious £21million regeneration plan to transform the town centre into the busy, thriving heart of the community. Three projects are already complete, two others are well underway and expected to complete this year.
Once complete the regeneration programme deliver:
- A new Enterprise Centre in the original 19th Century former Co-operative building on Colehill. (Now complete.)
- A wider footbridge into the castle grounds, to enhance the significance of the grade 1 listed castle, and the existing character and appearance of the conservation area.
- Redevelopment replicating the original Georgian style of the former Peel Café, bringing a building back into active use. (Now complete, and the new home to the Nationwide Building Society).
- Middle Entry renovations which will see some vacant units demolished to be replaced by a 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 which opens in September. Together both projects deliver a combined investment of over £40million in Tamworth town centre.
Councillor Carol Dean, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “It’s good to say we’ve submitted the final stage of the town’s transformation programme for planning approval. So much has been achieved already with a beautiful sympathetic redevelopment of the former Peel Café and the restoration of the original 19th Century Co-op building bringing much needed space for small businesses, and of course St Editha’s Square which formally opened just days ago.
“Our vision for the Market Street renovations will both protect and enhance these grade II listed properties, and see them once again in use as a thriving part of our town.
“This work is part of our Future High Street Fund project. Our ambition for the town centre is substantial, yes it does mean disruption in the short term as we transform the town centre into a vibrant, thriving place that meets the needs of residents, visitors and local businesses.
“Throughout all work, the town and market will be very much active, and I’d urge everyone to continue to support our local businesses and shop, socialise and visit the town centre.”