The Covid crisis has reminded us all of how important our local high streets are – not just to the economy but to our local communities. They face unprecedented challenges including Covid and the rise of online shopping.
Supporting Birmingham:
I have been working with Erdington Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore and the local community to back an ambitious funding bid for the comprehensive regeneration of Erdington town centre. The package would see a new restaurant and leisure quarter to replace Central Square, the demolition of the old Poundland store to open up the Churchyard for safe open space and the redevelopment of Erdington baths to become a business start-up hub to bring in jobs.
I’m strongly supporting this bid, which is a testimony to the hard work of many people in the local community – including Witton Lodge Community Association.
Under my leadership, the region is making targeted investments to regenerate high streets and boost trade – like the retail park in Sheldon which has created 200 new jobs at M&S, B&M and The Gym Group.
The regeneration of Longbridge:
It is now 15 years since the tragic collapse of Rover, with all that meant for jobs and the community in Longbridge. Since then regeneration has come with the Technology Park, Bournville College, the new shopping centre and homes being built – but the job isn’t finished.
Northfield MP Gary Sambrook and I are determined to ramp up their efforts, working with St. Modwen, to complete the regeneration.
Progress has been made and jobs have been created but progress has been slow in completing the final phase of the redevelopment. We are teaming up to work with the developer and local Councillors like Debbie Clancy to really champion getting the final phase done urgently. We need to ensure regeneration in Birmingham doesn’t just mean the City Centre and that there is a focus on creating jobs and success in Longbridge and the surrounding communities. We are committed to maxing out the potential of this site to benefit the area once again.
Transforming Coventry City Centre:
Coventry City Centre is set to be transformed through the “City Centre South” scheme, which will deliver a modern development including new shops, leisure facilities, hotel, improved public spaces and up to 1,300 homes. Crucially it is expected to support 1,100-1,400 jobs, plus those when the construction is underway.
The scheme is being backed by £95.5million of investment from the Combined Authority, which I am leading.
Coventry is set to benefit from the biggest single regional investment in City and town centres in the West Midlands, through City Centre South. This ambitious scheme will create a modern City centre with a brilliant offer both to local people and beyond. Bringing 1,300 homes right into the heart of the City will create trade and footfall for existing and new local businesses – easing the pressure on green spaces for housing.
Redeveloping Dudley Town Centre:
In Dudley, I am working in partnership with Dudley Council to back our town centres. The centrepiece is the regeneration of Dudley Town Centre itself, which was kickstarted earlier this year with the demolition of Cavendish House. Millions of regional and Council funding is going in, plus a bid to Government for millions more. Plus, there is a bid into Government for millions of funding for the regeneration of Brierley Hill.
Dudley borough has some of the best high streets in the region, like Stourbridge and Halesowen and we need to learn from them. Halesowen has had the best recovery in terms of trade of any town in the country – a tribute to the work of local businesses. I’m determined to continue to work in partnership with Dudley Council to back all our high streets and deliver the comprehensive redevelopment of Dudley Town Centre itself.
Backing town centres in Sandwell:
In Sandwell, I am working with local MPs Shaun Bailey, James Morris and Nicola Richards to back our town centres. Regional funding has enabled the demolition of the Bull Street car park in West Bromwich, which will be replaced with homes to boost local trade.
Having been shortlisted Smethwick, Rowley Regis and West Bromwich all are pitching, with my support, for potentially millions of Government funding to improve their high streets.
We are starting to secure investment in Sandwell’s high streets and major improvements like the metro expansion, new homes and the Midland Metropolitan Hospital construction. However, there is much more to be done for communities like Tipton and Wednesbury – I am determined to work with Shaun, James and Nicola to bring in much more investment for the whole borough to drive forward its’ regeneration.
Redeveloping Kingshurts into a new village centre in Solihull:
In Solihull, I am working with the Council and local MPs Saqib Bhatti and Julian Knight to support our local high streets. They are supporting the plan to bring new homes and jobs into Solihull Town Centre. Plus, teamwork between myself and the Council has secured over £5million of regional funding to enable the regeneration of Kingshurst into a new village centre.
Bringing more homes into Solihull town centre is going to be key to its’ future success by creating more trade – as well as of course easing green belt pressures. We also need to press that town centre sites that do become available, like the former Morrisons in Shirley, are redeveloped in a way that brings maximum benefit to the community and high street. We are continuing to make significant regional investment in key projects like the new Kingshurst village.
Investing in Sutton Coldfield:
In Sutton Coldfield I am working with the Town Council, City Councillors and Andrew Mitchell MP to support our local high streets. After extensive work and community consultation, the masterplan for the town centre has been produced setting out how the town’s future - including bringing more homes and leisure into the centre.
The future of the town centre is a critical issue and I am pleased to be working with Cllr. Simon Ward and the rest of the Town Council on it. The masterplan sets out a clear route to future success. I am determined to bring in regional funding into the town to underpin the success of it, including of course a new “Piazza” public transport interchange and I am actively working with Andrew Mitchell and the local team on winning other investments for the Royal Town.
Supporting Walsall:
I am working in partnership with Walsall Council and local MPs Eddie Hughes and Wendy Morton to back our town centres. Bloxwich and Walsall are in the running for potentially millions of Government funding for improvements, with each already receiving £750,000 as a down payment.
In Brownhills, I am working with Wendy and the Council to ensure the demolition of the Ravenscourt shopping centre and to see this site brought into full use to support the high street.
Working with Eddie, Wendy and Walsall Council we are determined to ensure that regeneration does not just mean Walsall town centre, important thought that is, but investment in communities like Bloxwich and Brownhills as well. Plus, I believe that reopening stations in Aldridge, Darlaston and Willenhall will boost all of these towns businesses and jobs.
Transforming Wolverhampton:
I’m working with local MPs like Stuart Anderson and Jane Stevenson to back the City bid for millions of pounds of Government funding to transform the City Centre and local centres in Wednesfield and Bilston as part of the “Towns Fund”. Plus, I have been backing investing regional money in local high streets, for example by purchasing the Pipe Hall building in Bilston for redevelopment.
Along with Stuart and Jane, I am very hopeful of winning significant Government support for the business case that has been put to them. New investment in Wolverhampton, Wednesfield and Bilston would really power local trade, businesses and jobs forward. This would build on our existing successes – including the brand-new railway station and winning the funding for the National Brownfield Institute to come to Wolverhampton.