A walk around the centre...

  Firstly greeted with an ambient, bustling high street, I set out to see what’s about. Kidderminster Town has 4 shopping centres which are the Rowland Hill Centre, the Swan Centre, Crossley Retail Park and Weavers Wharf. All are within easy walking distance of each or accessible via car. Dotted pleasantly around are charming independent  bridal shops, sweet shops, clothing stores, jewellers, collectables, florists, pet care stores and many more, as well as all the typical high street names.

Rowland Hill shopping centre was founded in memorial of Sir Rowland Hill – inventor of the Penny Black and the modern postal system. Born in Blackwell street, Kidderminster, Rowland Hill is just one of the famous figures Kidderminster is proud to be associated with. Weavers Wharf is the most recent shopping development opened in 2004 it has substantially modernised the town centre. Stores include Brantano, DW Sports Fitness & Clarks, Frankie and Benny’s, McDonald's and Pizza Hut, TK Maxx, Next, TH Baker, Marks and Spencer, Sports Direct, and in keeping with the historical significance of Kidderminster, a Grade II listed building houses a Debenhams store.

Kidderminster has a wealth of large top-brand supermarkets The Co-operative Food, a Morrisons, a Sainsburys, Tesco, Netto and Aldi to name just some.

What strikes me is the ease of navigation throughout the town centre. Spacious walk-ways and clear sign-posts help my shopping trip to be stress-free. Bus-services are frequent and close; a bus station serves the town centre, with many stops right outside the town hall – next to the statue of Sir Rowland Hill. The railway station is conveniently situated just up the hill from the centre, with surplus taxis and bus options.

Both within and just outside of the centre are varying eateries and restaurants. From what I can see Kidderminster offers many public houses (something to suit everyone) and a huge variety of Bistro, Indian, Chinese, Pizza, Fish and Chips, and Italian, takeaways and restaurants

Every year the town centre is home to its very own carnival, and arts festival both of which are hugely successful and popular. The Town Hall is used for various concerts or recitals, and the Glades Arena which is just up from a main shopping area hosts many sports and leisure events – which I will explore in other blogs. Kidderminster College is situated close to all town amenities and continues to be a promising establishment for the growth of the community.