MOVES TO create a community hub and plaza in Redditch Town Centre are underway.
This week, 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, with Redditch library moving to the town hall.
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: “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.”
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.
Council Leader Coun 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.
Visit www.redditchtowndeal.co.uk for more information.
