A specialist team of urban design and planning experts have been appointed to begin work on a £150,000 masterplan for Sutton Coldfield town centre.

The Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Regeneration Partnership (TCRP) has commissioned the Tibbalds CampbellReith joint venture to complete phase one of the masterplan.

The TCRP – which includes representatives of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Birmingham City Council, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), FOLIO Sutton Coldfield, Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District and Transport for West Midlands – will work closely with the team to deliver the new vision for a reimagined town centre.

The work will involve detailed engagement with town centre land owners and shop owners followed by a full public consultation in early 2020.

Delivery of Phase One of the masterplan is expected at the end of April 2020.

Olive O’Sullivan, the Town Council’s chief executive, said: “The Town Council is delighted that Tibbalds CampbellReith has been commissioned to carry out the first phase of the £150,000 masterplan and is confident that they will successfully deliver this vital piece of work to map out a new vision for our town centre.

“A consultation recently carried out by the Town Council on our Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2023 confirmed that the future of the town centre is the biggest concern for residents and local businesses.

“This masterplan will be created with the input of residents and businesses to ensure we deliver a town centre we can all be really proud of. 

“What is clear is that town centres have to change and its vital that ours is at the vanguard of these changes.  Royal Sutton Coldfield is a great place to live and work.  Let’s ensure we have a town centre that reflects this.”

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the GBCC, of which the Sutton Coldfield Chamber is a part, said:  “We are very pleased with the news that Tibbalds CampbellReith have been commissioned to develop the first phase of this masterplan. 

“A busy, bustling and thriving town centre is critical for the economic and social health of Sutton Coldfield, and the Chamber looks forward to working constructively with all of the local stakeholders in order to help ensure that an exciting and viable plan for the future development is delivered by this work.” 

Funding for the masterplan has been provided by the town council, GBSLEP and Sutton Coldfield BID