New retail space for independent businesses in Tamworth 

Small independent businesses have been invited to apply for new retail space with rents as little as £150 per week. 

Tamworth Borough Council is building a new hub with seven individual units to help local niche businesses start up or grow, and is one of several projects being delivered as part of the £21.65 million Future High Streets Fund grant. 

Town Hall Place, located opposite Tamworth Town Hall in Market Street, is nearing completion. It aims to improve the choice and appeal of Tamworth town centre by attracting high-quality businesses not currently available on the high street.

As the owner and landlord of the building, Tamworth Borough Council is offering ‘easy in, easy out’ rental terms, with competitive rates and short-term leases, to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime town centre location. 

Units range in size from 138 sq ft to 368 sq ft. Rents start from £150 per week for the smallest unit, with additional service charges for utilities, waste and cleaning of communal areas. 

The council says ideal tenants include makers and creators, vintage or themed fashion, children’s clothes, artisan bread, specialist food, florists, haberdasheries, jewellers, bridal wear, arts and crafts, and gifts. The two largest units could be suited to hospitality or food and drink. 

Town Hall Place tenants will also benefit from free business advice and support, including opportunity for working collaboratively with the council on joint events and promotions. 

Councillor Nova Arkney, the council’s portfolio holder for infrastructure and local economy, said: “The idea behind Town Hall Place is to give local small independent businesses a realistic and viable option for trading in a prime town centre location. 

“The units are small and the costs are competitive. As the landlord, with the goal of improving the overall appeal of Tamworth town centre, we have been able to make the terms as favourable as we possibly can to attract a wider variety of unique businesses. 

“Combined with the advice and support of our business team, we can hopefully help these ventures grow to the point that they can move to a more permanent vacant unit elsewhere in the town, opening Town Hall Place up to more niche independents in the future. 

“The ultimate aim is to grow a sustainable community of successful and diverse small businesses in Tamworth.” 

Town Hall Place’s design has been inspired by architectural features of nearby heritage buildings. This includes stunning arches above each new shop front reflecting the stone pillars on the 18^th Century Town Hall, and herringbone style brickwork mirroring the historic herringbone wall of Tamworth Castle. 

Any businesses interested in renting a unit at Town Hall Place should email business@tamworth.gov.uk