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New plans to revitalise West Midlands town centres
A pioneering project from the West Midlands Combined Authority and local councils is set to target five town centres to transform and revitalise the way they operate.
With high streets across the country having suffered as consumers have increasingly switched to online shopping and out of town retailing, Bilston, St Thomas Quarter in Dudley, Bordesley Green in Birmingham, St Matthews Quarter in Walsall and West Bromwich will benefit from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street’s retail experience from being managing director from John Lewis to revive some of the region’s town centres.
The new town centre programme was agreed by the WMCA Housing and Land Delivery Board this morning. It will unlock new funding, expertise and support from the WMCA and other partners and be delivered by councils.
The five town councils were selected as a first wave of communities where the combined resources and expertise of WMCA, local authorities and the private sector will be brought together to create new opportunities and actions.
Street said: “The future of the high street will not only be about shops, it will be about public services, homes, small businesses and community activities. There are many opportunities for our high streets. We must find a positive future for them which embraces technological change. The future of our communities depends upon it.
“Today is just the start. We want to be the region that leads the way nationally in reimagining the role and function of town centres in the digital age. And with a very bold housing and regeneration ambition, strong leadership and as the UK home of 5G we are well placed to do so.”
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