Following the submission of the Redditch Towns Fund bid at the end of January 2021 the local Redditch Conservative Association carried out its own snap approval poll to determine the level of support across the Borough for the regeneration of Redditch Town Centre.
This snap poll was after previous consultation opportunities and carried out as the news broke about the submission of the Town Improvement Plan to the Government – so it was at a time we think attention to the matter was at its highest.
Previous consultation opportunities included the official public consultation as part of the submission of the bid to government for the funds. The details of the consultation can be found here. There was also two in-person events at Town Hall before the pandemic, alongside the government’s own marketing machinery that was pushing a website where people could share their ideas.
The survey was completed by 413 people in just over a week (9 days) following local media reporting about the submission. The link to the survey was shared to a number of groups, including the heritage and history-focused group ‘Redditch Past and Present’ as well as local protest groups. To ensure the reach was as wide as possible Redditch Conservatives members funded advertising on Facebook to encourage hard-to-reach groups such as young people to have their say.
The results are being processed by local volunteers, and will take some time to compile into a report for publication. However, one early headline figure is the significantly large margin of support for regeneration.
Respondents were asked if they thought the regeneration of Redditch Town Centre is a good idea or a bad idea, with 78% expressing approval and 22% disapproving.
Matt Dormer, Leader of the local Conservatives, said:
“We have been saying for two years that we are listening to the public through this process. There have now been 3 consultations, including 1 in-person session before lockdown and 2 online. We can now add this 4th consultation process, which took place after the bid was submitted.”
Mike Rouse, Deputy Leader of the local Conservatives, added:
“It’s great to see such strong support for regeneration of the town centre. As part of the team going through the data I am assured this survey was completed by a very wide range of people both young and old, and we are already seeing some interesting results when you dig into the demographic breakdowns.”
More details on the demographic splits will be released in due course along with answers to a question regarding the intention within the bid to move the library and job centre into the Town Hall and remove the building currently sat in front of the Kingfisher Centre.
Mike added:
“We all know that building is now past its best. With its leaky roof and dark alleyways it’s time to push forwards with the regeneration process, which will also enable more investment in arts, culture and heritage at the same time.
The above graphic shows 66% supported the idea of replacing the library building, 25.7% thought it was a bad idea and 8.3% were indifferent. This puts the overall level of support between 66%-74.3% based on 374 responses over just 9 days. Only 9.44% declined to answer the question.
Does it cost more money to knock down the New library and rebuild rather than refurbishing it ?
I don’t particularly like the design of it as it’s not in keeping with the old market place buildings, but if the exterior could be made more subtle then i say keep it .
Thanks for your comment. The roof is constantly leaking, serious crimes have been carried out behind it, and an otherwise nice entrance to the Kingfisher is almost blocked. In its place could be a magnificent square for markets, cafes and more.
I’m sure it would be lovely out there.
Meanwhile, what exactly would you be offering in terms of library provision? Matt Dormer says it will be “state of the art” and “suberb”. Apparently it will be more than “just a library”.
For those of us who use and rely on our local library regularly, please clarify what you will be offering and show us, through detailed plans, that it will be equal to the current offering for readers of all ages as well as for the archives and that library jobs will he protected.
If your plans aren’t yet clear, why not say so? If that’s the case, why not consult actual library users and the staff about what should be offered and include them in the planning?
Hi Elizabeth. Thanks for your comment. As part of the re-provision process there will be a further consultation, giving you and others the opportunity to input in more detail on what should be offered and to be included in the planning just as you have asked for. We hope this is helpful.