Future High Streets Fund

Watch our Future High Streets Fund animation video on YouTube.

Tamworth has been awarded an incredible £21.65m from the Future High Streets Fund to transform the town centre into the busy, thriving heart of the community.

A total of 72 towns successfully bid for a share of up to £830m to transform their high streets into vibrant hubs for future generations. Tamworth was one of only 15 towns to be given the full amount that was bid for, and received the fourth highest award overall.

When combined with funding from external partners and Tamworth Borough Council, the projects represents a combined investment in the town of around £40million.

Work is now taking place to progress this ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to develop a town centre that meets the needs of 21st century shoppers, residents and businesses.

There are five core elements of the project:

  • College Quarter: The relocation of Tamworth College, part of South Staffordshire College, to a new building on the site of the Tamworth Co-operative Society department store
  • Enterprise Hub: Refurbishment of the locally-listed part of the Tamworth Co-operative Society department store (the Colehill frontages) into a new enterprise centre for small businesses
  • Middle Entry refurb: Refurbishment and improvements to Middle Entry and construction of new flexible use units for small business use
  • Castle Gateway: An improved entrance between the town centre and the Castle Grounds by replacing the castle bridge and landscaping around the castle gateway area, including demolishing the 1970s Nationwide building. This will open up views to the castle and the back of the historic Market Street properties
  • St Editha's Square: The transformation of St Editha’s Square into a multi-purpose outdoor space for entertaining and events

The bid to Government was put together in partnership with landlords, businesses and organisations, following months of public engagement, detailed research and feasibility studies.

FAQs: For everything you need to know about the project.

Download the timeline as a pdf.