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The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

Jobs - The Legacy…..

● The Development Corporation created nearly half-a-million square feet of factory space
over a twenty year period.

● It was successful in creating small starter units allowing new businesses to be created as
well as attracting big names willing to relocate to Redditch.

● The good communication links provided by the developing motorway network, which
Redditch was well placed to exploit, as well as the new local road system was attractive to
businesses setting up in Redditch.

● The skills base from its previous manufacturing industries was also attractive to new businesses.

● Compared with factories on existing Birmingham industrial estates, those in Redditch looked
spacious and modern.

● The Development Corporation adopted a flexible approach in negotiations with would-be
businesses, tailoring units to their needs wherever possible.

● Looking at the businesses attracted to Redditch in the 1970s, many have now left the town
for a variety of reasons and it is a constant struggle to attract new ones.

● Possible over-supply of office accommodation has led to many units being empty for long
periods.

● It appears sometimes, that short-term expedients today means that the principle of careful
siting of the residential, retail and industrial areas adopted by the Development Corporation
has been forgotton.

● However good the Development Corporation was at planning, local, national & world
economic changes often disrupted such plans and the ideals were sometimes not realised.

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