Finance chief to head project to revitalise ‘struggling’ West Midlands towns

A managing director at HSBC Commercial Banking is to head a taskforce that aims to unlock land for regeneration in five “struggling” West Midlands towns.

Jon Bramwell has been appointed chair of the Regional Town Centre Task Force, which will look to stimulate town centres that have been hit by administrations on the high street and long-term lack of investment.

£20m in funding has been set aside by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for the project.

The town centres which have been nominated by their councils include: Bilston, St Thomas Quarter in Dudley, Bordesley Green in Birmingham, St Matthews Quarter in Walsall and West Bromwich (East).

The task force will be made up of experts from retail, finance, housing, universities and Government.

Later in the year, more town centres will be eligible for the next wave of support.

West Midlands councils have also submitted bids to the Government’s nationwide £675m Future High Streets Fund, which is in addition to the £20m made already made available by the WMCA.

Bramwell said: “Strong, vibrant, healthy and inclusive town centres are an essential part of the West Midlands’ economy and social fabric.

“The role of this task force is to champion our town and city centres, explore and influence the national agenda and help support local partners in deploying targeted interventions.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, as a former managing director of John Lewis, has already pledged to use his experience in the retail industry to help turn around ailing town centres.

He said: “High streets are facing a great challenge to survive and unfortunately many town centres are a shadow of their former selves.

“But we are determined to lead the way in tackling this issue. That may mean less emphasis on retail and a move towards a more diverse offer with community centres, leisure attractions, new homes, small businesses and public services to attract visitors back into our high streets.”

Pictured: Jon Bramwell, chair of the Regional Town Centre Task Force, Patricia Willoughby, head of policy for housing and regeneration at the WMCA, and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street

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