Planetarium plan for Birmingham shopping centre

A serial entrepreneur is getting starry-eyed over plans to breathe new life into a Birmingham shopping centre.

Tom Elliott, from Erdington, is seeking support for his idea to create a planetarium at the town’s Central Square shopping centre.

He is looking to partner with local schools, community groups and businesses to get the scheme off the ground.

To develop his idea, Mr Elliott joined The Cube Arts Centre where he displayed some of his creations; receiving praise for his small-scale Star Gazer Rocket Dome.

The idea behind the planetarium – The Star Gazer – is that it would benefit local schools as an outside classroom observatory, as well as being a community planetarium for the people of Erdington and the wider community to enjoy.

Tom Elliott

Mr Elliott said: “Central Square has seen a lot of changes over the last few years, in line with shopping centres all over the country.

“The owners of the Square, New River Retail have done much to change the focus, by encouraging more small independent retailers to gain a foothold, and to give space to The Cube, the Erdington arts facility, which keeps growing and gaining more members.”

He said the feedback he had received for the Star Gazer had given him the confidence to press ahead with a larger project.

“Now I’m looking to see how we can organise a permanent Star Gazer Rocket Dome structure. I have been told to seek community funding, but I would need help to get the ball rolling as I’m not as young as I once was,” he said.

“If I can get support from the local community to attract attention to the idea it would benefit all concerned, particularly as there’s no other planetarium or anything similar in or around Erdington.”

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