READERS have been having their say on what nightlife venues they would like to see in Redditch town centre.
Last week’s announcement by JD Wetherspoon The Rising Sun was up for sale prompted conversations on Facebook but many said the number and quality of bars and restaurants had been in decline the last 20 years.
Amy Holz said: “We want better places to eat, more to be made of Church Green, affordable and varied pubs, maybe a live music venue and not just curry houses because as much as I love a curry we need variation.
“If you compare Touchwood’s hub to the Kingfisher it’s embarrassing.”
Shelly Wooton added she would like a Slug and Lettuce while others said more cocktail bars were needed, along with night clubs as Popworld and The Royal Enfield were currently the only places where revellers could go.
Orane Wright said: “Just get a Turtle Bay in town – drinks and food all in one with a dance floor underneath or upstairs.”
Mitch Kenney addd: “The ideal ‘promenade’ in Redditch behind the church is full of estate agents.
“They could be better placed elsewhere, and a row of restaurants, cafes (Aroma is there), and bars could completely transform that space.”
People said Redditch’s night life was much better in the 90s and noughties with The Works, Vogue, The Litten Tree, Chicago Rock Cafe, Fever and others.
And residents were scathing of the town having so many restaurants in the shopping centre adding the majority should be outside in the town centre.
Janice Styler said: “All the eateries are in the Kingfisher with little night life elsewhere.”
Others suggested Redditch should look wider than bars and restaurants and build different attractions to increase footfall, such as an ice rink or bowling alley.
Aside from the seasonal temporary ice rinks, such as the one installed as part of Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, the nearest ice rinks are currently in Solihull, Coventry and Cannock.
For bowling alleys people would need to go to Rubery or Birmingham city centre.
• What night life would you like to see in Redditch town centre? Email your views to [email protected] or write to us at the address on page eight.
