Moves to create a community hub gather momentum

It’s all action stations at the Town Hall as moves to create a community hub and plaza, boasting coffee shops and restaurants, are underway.

Next week (commencing Dec 5), Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust will start relocating some of their community mental health and children’s services into the Walter Stranz Square premises, occupying parts of the ground and first floor.

The ground floor Council Chamber and Civic Suite will move to the second floor to allow more space to be utilised by partners, creating the community hub which will mean an accessible range of public services for residents all under one roof. Following consultation, if Worcestershire County Council decides to relocate the library to the Town Hall it will result in Redditch getting an exciting modern library facility for residents with a more usable, accessible space.

The Plaza makes up just part of the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which formed the basis of Redditch’s successful £15.6m bid of Government allocated Towns Fund with £4m of the pot going to this initial project.

Led by the Redditch Town’s Deal Board, made up of local businesses, residents and town representatives, including the Borough and County Councils, the TIP also includes development of a new digital manufacturing and innovation centre and public realm improvements.

Board Chair Leigh Walton, who is also a local resident, said: “This is just the start but all these moves will go towards us completing the bigger picture to regenerate Redditch.

“I have lived in Redditch for over 60 years and am proud to have been a part of the hard work which went into bidding for the Government funds which will enable this ambitious vision to become a reality.

“Progress means change, which is a difficult process but things can’t stay the same and the TIP will see the Borough of which I am proud to be a part of, flourish and provide jobs and opportunities for its residents.”

Images of the plaza and community hub are available on Redditch Borough Council’s website and over the Christmas holidays residents will be able to ‘virtually’ walk through the new plaza as a VR information station will be placed in the Kingfisher Centre.

Council Leader Cllr Matt Dormer said: “This development is not a political one, it has been led by the Board but it is the Council which has helped to push these plans forward because we believe they will unlock the full potential of Redditch.

“We want to create a bigger town centre which will attract more people not only in the day but to boost our night-time economy. The funds we have successfully secured can only be used for the initiatives set out in the Towns Fund bids.  These funds must be spent by the end of March 2026 which is why we have focussed on this area to redevelop as other areas in the town are privately owned.

“As well as the town plaza and community hub the digital innovation centre will not only attract new business to the area, it will mean our children can find employment and opportunities in their home town. If we don’t embrace the ‘new’ then we are set to become an ‘old town.”

NWEDR is delivering the project on behalf of Redditch Borough Council. A page on this website contains the proposals, images, and links to the consultation on the relocation of Redditch Library as well as Redditch Town Deal.