Lion Fields redevelopment

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:

The momentum is clearly going in Kidderminster with lots of regeneration taking place. The Town Hall, the Talbot Park, the Piano Building, and here where I am in The Old Court. We're seeking a joint venture partner to regenerate for residential dwellings on the former Glades Leisure Centre site, Bromsgrove Street Car Park, and indeed Worcester Street. We want a mix of apartments and town houses for up to 146 dwellings. The great thing about this location - and it's over four acres in size - is it's right on the edge of town centre. It's really important that town centre now are a mix of public open space, leisure, retail, and indeed housing. We’re doing this because we want our town centre to be fit for the 21st century. It's important that this isn't just about building homes. It's about regenerating this side of the town centre. We believe that this is a really sustainable location on a brownfield site.

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, speaking:

So why is it exciting? Over the past two years, we have invested through Government grants and other grant sourcing over £35 million to start the significant regeneration of the town centre. As you can see behind me, the Connectivity Project, which is now finished, offers a really key link into the town for residents who will live in the properties that we want to build. But more than that, what Kidderminster has to offer is a re-emerging town centre through projects like the Town Hall redevelopment.

Curtis Fudge, Business Manager at Kidderminster Town Hall, speaking:

We've had a £12 million makeover that's seen the whole building be repurposed as an event space. We're now a fully-fledged music venue. We've got a new multi-purpose café and Courtyard bar, which is doing really well, too. The music room itself that we're now stood in is hosting over 150 shows this year. Everything from family shows, comedy, music.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:

Kidderminster really does have a lot going on for it now with new restaurants and new bars opening up.

Wayne Barber, Owner at The Church Restaurant & Bar, speaking:

My name's Wayne Barber. I'm the owner of The Church Restaurant & Bar and The Church Venue. We bought the site around three years ago and we've been on constant development since then, regenerating both church buildings. There's a real strong movement at the minute with a lot of organisations really trying to make Kidderminster an amazing place to be to live.

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, speaking:

Beyond the town centre, Wyre Forest is renowned for its fantastic and varied open green space from forest walks with the dogs and the kids to plenty of town centre parks such as Brinton Park, which is our flagship park, and many more.

Wayne Barber, Owner at The Church Restaurant & Bar, speaking:

I've always enjoyed living in Kidderminster because it is a great place to live. You've got so much greenery and so many beautiful places on your doorstep.

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, speaking:

As a resident living in these new properties, they will have access to a significant amount of shops and amenities from hospitality, Weaver's Wharf shopping centre, and Crossley Retail Park, all within a stones throw of where we are looking to build these homes. We have hospitals, we have fantastic schools, and we have brilliant transport networks with the train station just a short walk away.

Wayne Barber, Owner at The Church Restaurant & Bar, speaking:

You've got Birmingham which 40 minutes on the train in one direction. You've got Droitwich and Worcester, 20-30 minutes in the other direction.

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, speaking:

The feasibility study that we had completed really emphasized the opportunity that we have here for placemaking in Kidderminster Town Centre. So this is a really exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference and create legacy in the town of Kidderminster. So please talk to us about joining us for this project.