Plans approved for second Tamworth Enterprise Centre
26 July 2022
Planning permission has been granted to Tamworth Borough Council to develop a second enterprise hub in the mid-19th century section of the former Co-operative Society building in Colehill.
This development is part of Tamworth Borough Council’s plans to transform the heart of Tamworth town centre. The new Enterprise Centre will complement the existing well-used and over-subscribed Tamworth Enterprise Centre at Philip Dix House in Corporation Street.
This redevelopment will provide affordable serviced offices, collaboration space, hot desks and meeting rooms in the heart of Tamworth town centre in the existing shop frontages and upper floors facing Colehill and Church Street of the former Co-operative Society building.
The new facility will have a variety of offices, including larger spaces for businesses to grow into, as well as offices suitable for start-ups.
The plans were submitted by external planning consultants and any changes proposed are designed to retain, enhance and celebrate the building’s Victorian features.
Most of the work proposed is internal and does not require planning permission but there are some minor external alterations needed to improve the appearance and functionality of the building.
Cllr Jeremy Oates, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “This development is part of our ongoing plans to transform the heart of Tamworth town centre, thanks to overall regeneration investment of a significant £40m in the town, which includes £21.6m grant from the Government High Streets Fund.
“Converting the mid-19th Century part of the former co-op means we can preserve and enhance this beautiful historic building. Our design aims to bring out the character of the locally listed building, while bringing it back into a viable use for the future as a key facility for the community, supporting small businesses and enterprise.”
Notes:
The full plans can now be viewed on the Tamworth Borough Council website planning portal
Full details of the projects involved are available on the Transforming Tamworth website.
The planning application includes proposals such as installation of new glazing to part of the eastern and northern elevations, infilling of formal openings to the rear elevation and replacement windows and new lift enclosure and plant to the rear first floor flat roof.
The second flexible business hub will be operated by Tamworth Borough Council to complement the well-used and over-subscribed Tamworth Enterprise Centre at Philip Dix House in Corporation Street. Its 16 serviced offices have been constantly occupied, with a waiting list since it was first opened in 2017.
This development is separate to proposals by South Staffordshire College to demolish the large 1960s part of the building facing St Editha’s Square, to house a new college space.
