This week I’ll be talking about one of my main priorities – our local economy. Solihull is home to many vibrant and growing businesses. Not just powerhouse manufacturers and innovative tech or precision engineering companies (although we’re extremely proud of them), but retail businesses across the whole borough. We have great shopping centres with a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars and everything from village shops to flagship department stores.
One thing I want to prioritise as leader is preserving and improving our places to shop and eat. Our high streets are really important to people, I know that, and whilst they have struggled in recent years, with the pandemic and the rise of online shopping and delivery apps, I think they play a vital role in our communities. Not just because of the many jobs they provide, but also there is something great about the face-to-face interaction that many people, particularly some of our older residents, value highly.
Walking into a local shop and seeing a friendly face is something I hope we never lose, no matter how easy it gets to order things straight to our front door. Technology plays a huge part in our lives - one click and something is ordered. Whilst we embrace the improvements, let’s not lose that social interaction. I want to do all I can as Leader of the Council to make sure our shops and restaurants remain attractive to customers and keep the hearts of our villages and towns beating.
One of the biggest ways we are doing this as a council is through our regeneration and redevelopment schemes. In Kingshurst, we’ve already delivered high-quality, affordable housing right in the heart of the community, and now we’re turning our attention to the second phase, which will be the focal point of the whole redevelopment and include the all-important new Community Health and Retail building.
In the centre of Solihull, we have ambitious plans for Mell Square. A planning application was submitted in March which, if approved, will pave the way for work to start on the exciting new mixed-use neighbourhood including 1,600 homes, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and public spaces. I think it will be an exciting time for our town as we look to future-proof it. The designs aim to preserve the character of that part of the town centre whilst bringing Mell Square into the modern world in a way that works for residents, visitors and businesses.
This week I attended the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce ‘Solihull Expo’ at Cranmore Park. The Solihull Chamber do really good work connecting businesses, and it was great to meet so many people from across our borough and the wider West Midlands and hear about their businesses and their ideas. People were making so many new connections and I’m sure some of the collaborations that happen as a result will be great for everyone involved. I spoke on a panel in the morning, along with local business leaders, to provide an update on the economic situation here for the businesspeople in the room. I’ve already mentioned the variety of businesses we have in Solihull, and that was on show with representatives on the panel from Birmingham Airport, The NEC, HS2, and Touchwood. It was great to be part of and to hear some really engaging questions and thoughts from people in the room.
On the subject of interacting with business, the Council will be hosting a webinar next Wednesday to help employers explore the benefits and potential of apprenticeships. They are an excellent way to develop a talent pipeline, address skill gaps, and bring fresh perspectives to businesses. The latest details on the funding and support available will be discussed, with an expert panel for employers to ask questions they may have. Please refer to this eFlyer for details.
Finally, moving on from the world of business, this Wednesday night I joined the first women’s walk, with the Solihull Stride Squad, at Brueton Park. The turnout was absolutely amazing – around 100 women came along. I really enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely be back when I get the chance. The Men Walking and Talking Group has done so much for men locally, it’s great that there’s now a similar space for women to meet up, make new friends and share their experiences with each other. It was lovely to meet so many women and hear their stories, I hope it continues to grow.
Thanks for reading.
Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council.