Sutton Coldfield town centre is viewed as a relic of the 1960s and 70s and a potential shopping giant laid low by bad planning and under-investment.
Now city regeneration bosses want the Royal Borough’s main retail and commercial centre to punch its weight as they launch a framework plan designed to haul in developers and investors.
The Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Regeneration Framework, which is today issued for public consultation, aims to more than double the growth in retail floor space, from a current expected growth of about 24,500 square metres, to creating new civic and public spaces, full pedestrianisation of the Parade and breaking the ring road to the north with walkways to the historic High Street.
Plans include a new landmark tower building, in place of the tired library and Red Rose shopping complex, and a new shopping mall, supported by a major department store, in place of the indoor market and the Newhall Walk car park - to balance the Gracechurch shopping centre side of the town.
There are also proposals for a new bus station, creating a transport interchange with the rail station, and the realignment of the upper end of the Brassington Avenue as a swift link to High Street.
Coun Peter Howard, chairman of the Sutton Coldfield constituency committee and one architect of the framework, said: “There is huge potential here in Sutton Coldfield. People can see what is happening in Solihull and wonder why it is not happening here. We are in the middle of one of the richest areas of the Midlands but our own residents are forsaking the shopping centre because they do not have what they want.”
His view is backed by figures showing that between only five and six per cent of the town’s retail catchment area use it, leaving Sutton languishing in the fourth division of regional shopping centres with Tamworth, Stafford and Redditch. The aim is to raise it alongside Solihull, Walsall, Telford and Leamington Spa.
Unlike other town centres, the local authority owns very little land, just roads and pavements, so much depends on landowners, including the Manchester City Council Pension Fund (The Red Rose centre and car park), The Mall (Gracechurch) and Network Rail and potential developers buying into the plan. The only major public sector investment likely will be the bus station and transport interchange. Coun Howard said: “This will set the framework, showing developers and investors what Birmingham City Council regards as suitable for Sutton Coldfield, so they can make their plans accordingly. In some ways we are launching this at the worst possible time. But it does give developers an opportunity to look at what they can do at a time when they are planning for the future. I am very optimistic about what the future holds.”
Pictures in the document were indicative illustrations, rather than the finished blueprint, and the landmark building, earmarked for the library and council constituency offices, could be vastly different. “The shopping centre will be gloriously modern, but it will not look like this picture,” he said.
All can comment on the framework, starting with the Sutton Constituency meeting at the Town Hall tomorrow (7pm).The council is working with the Sutton Civic Society to ensure people have their say. The framework will be finalised as a blueprint later this year.
