Latest news with #TamworthBoroughCouncil
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Tamworth Castle buildings undergo £142k restoration project
Restoration work has begun to repair water damage and structural deterioration at two Grade II-listed properties in Borough Council is carrying out the repairs at Holloway Lodge and Coach House courtyard at Tamworth said the £142,000 project would repair long-term damage caused by exposure to the elements and should be completed by the end of the Smith, the council's portfolio holder for leisure and heritage, said the work would "preserve two beautiful and important buildings in our town". Holloway Lodge dates back to 1810 and is the gothic-style gateway to the castle council said water had started to enter the lodge through the turrets and old guttering, causing damage both inside and has also started to grow in the stonework, further contributing to its nearby Coach House courtyard will undergo excavation work to repair damage caused by the roots of a nearby added: "This project is part of the council's ongoing commitment to protecting Tamworth's historic sites and investing in the future of its cultural heritage."These repairs will not only make both sites safe but will also help preserve two beautiful and important buildings in our town." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Tamworth garden waste collection charge set to increase for 2026
The cost of having garden wasted collected in Tamworth looks set to increase for Borough Council has proposed to raise the charge from £41 to £42.50 per year in line with inflation, according to a report from the new charge would come into effect when applications open to residents in October, covering up to 23 fortnightly collections between the end of January and mid-December next report said raising the price in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) would ensure it maintains "quality services" while "ensuring financial sustainability". "By adhering to the CPI, we can continue to provide valuable services to our community without compromising on standards or efficiency," it would be the second time garden waste prices have increased in Tamworth since they were introduced in 2017, following a raise from £36 to £41 for 2025.A decision on the proposed increase will be made during a meeting of the council's cabinet on Thursday at 18:00 BST. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Revamp planned for listed Tamworth high street shops
Several Grade II listed town centre shops described as being in a poor condition could be restored under council stores at 26a, 27 and 27a Market Street in Tamworth, Staffordshire, would be made watertight to "secure their long term future" and the front of the shops its planning application, Tamworth Borough Council said the stores would be left empty so they could be fitted out by retailers in the have not been confirmed but the authority said uses in the coming years could include craft, artisan or heritage shops. A statement with the application said the back of the properties, garden walls and outbuildings were currently in a poor condition and the restoration would bring them back into use.A spokesperson added that creating more retail opportunities in the town centre could also encourage visitors to nearby Tamworth Castle. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
TikTok star Spudman faces angry backlash as popular business divides town
Spudman, real name Ben Newman, has fans and critics in Staffordshire - where he sells baked potatoes from a van - but he remains optimistic of more success. A popular jacket potato seller who skyrocketed to fame on Tiktok is facing an angry backlash after winning a battle against council bosses who wanted to move his trailer. Ben Newman known as "Spudman" who has racked up a giant 4.2million followers on TikTok and 560,000 on Instagram, had nowhere to run his business after the council booted him off his pitch last year. People have flocked from abroad to enjoy Ben's jacket potatoes, stacked with toppings, which he serves from his van. And he rejoiced recently when he overcame Tamworth Borough Council's ban to continue trading in the market town. Yet, local café owners claim his customers use their toilets and sit down to eat his potatoes at their tables and chairs as the bitter row rumbles on, reports the Mirror. Ben, 40, told reporters his detractors are jealous of his success. He said this week: "There are a couple of cafés around the market square but the problem is the owners sit there all day and are not so busy, and they see me nice and busy and it's 'green eyes'. "Their cafés have increased trade on the back of my success. I put tables and chairs out for my customers, which get full, and I tell them to use public toilets but I can't stop them going elsewhere." The tattie entrepreneur had to move his trailer last year to allow the pedestrianised area to be refurbished by the council and claimed he felt "destroyed" when he was told that he would have to trade from a side street as the square was filled with flower beds. The plans sparked an outcry from Spudman's devoted fans and a petition garnered more than 113,000 in less than two weeks. It led to Tamworth Borough Council's recent U-turn, a move which has irked other local traders in and near the market square. Coleen Mills, who owns the Side Walk Café which faces the market place on St Editha's Square, told Mail Online: "I don't know 'Spudman' personally but it is annoying that his customers come along with their jackets and eat them at my place when the tables and chairs outside his trailer are full. "They've also been using our toilet facilities, but I've put a stop to that now. But when I've moved people on I've been given a lot of verbal abuse, which is very unfair." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sue Vaughan, who owns the Market Café, also complained about "Spudman's" customers using her facilities without permission. She continued: "I've had his customers using my loos, when they should be for mine only, and I've now had to padlock them. "He needs to sort out his own toilets or tell his customers to use public ones. They're also sitting on my tables and chairs outside eating his food, which is out of order." But Ben, who is a dad, continues to draw in punters, with people often queuing in the market square for his spuds. Sarah Vickers, a fan and also manager of the town's Cosy Café, described "Spudman" as a "good advert" for Tamworth. "He's a good advert for Tamworth and he does a lot to help the community. He gives money for good causes and, like my sister, he has kidney dialysis. We're a very busy café here and he's bought more people to town, and on days he's not open his customers often come down to us," Sarah told Mail Online. A Tamworth Borough Council spokesman said: "The council investigates all relevant complaints received through our official complaints process."
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
TikTok star hits out at bitter allegations as his popular business divides town
Spudman, whose real name is Ben Newman, has fans and critics in Tamworth, Staffordshire - where he sells baked potatoes from a van - but he remains optimistic of more success A legendary jacket potato seller - known as "Spudman" - is facing an angry backlash after winning a battle against council chiefs who wanted to move his trailer. "Spudman," real name is Ben Newman and who has an incredible 4.2million followers on TikTok and 560,000 on Instagram, had nowhere to run his business after the council booted him off his pitch last year. People have flocked from abroad to enjoy Ben's jacket potatoes, stacked with toppings, which he serves from his van. And he rejoiced recently when he overcame Tamworth Borough Council's ban to continue trading in the market town. Yet, local café owners claim his customers use their toilets and sit down to eat his potatoes at their tables and chairs as the bitter row rumbles on. Ben, 40, told reporters his detractors are jealous of his success. He said this week: "There are a couple of cafés around the market square but the problem is the owners sit there all day and are not so busy, and they see me nice and busy and it's 'green eyes'. "Their cafés have increased trade on the back of my success. I put tables and chairs out for my customers, which get full, and I tell them to use public toilets but I can't stop them going elsewhere." "Spudman" had to move his trailer last year to allow the pedestrianised area to be refurbished by the council. He claimed he felt "destroyed" when he was told that he would have to trade from a side street after the work to the square was completed, and would not be able to return to his old location due to a new flowerbed being put there instead. The plans sparked an outcry from Spudman's devoted fans and a petition garnered more than 113,000 in less than two weeks. It led to Tamworth Borough Council's recent U-turn, a move which has irked other local traders in and near the market square. Coleen Mills, who owns the Side Walk Café which faces the market place on St Editha's Square, told Mail Online: "I don't know 'Spudman' personally but it is annoying that his customers come along with their jackets and eat them at my place when the tables and chairs outside his trailer are full. "They've also been using our toilet facilities, but I've put a stop to that now. But when I've moved people on I've been given a lot of verbal abuse, which is very unfair." Sue Vaughan, who owns the Market Café, also complained about "Spudman's" customers using her facilities without permission. She continued: "I've had his customers using my loos, when they should be for mine only, and I've now had to padlock them. "He needs to sort out his own toilets or tell his customers to use public ones. They're also sitting on my tables and chairs outside eating his food, which is out of order." But Ben, who is a dad, continues to draw in punters, with people often queuing in the market square for his spuds. Sarah Vickers, a fan and also manager of the town's Cosy Café, described "Spudman" as a "good advert" for Tamworth. "He's a good advert for Tamworth and he does a lot to help the community. He gives money for good causes and, like my sister, he has kidney dialysis. We're a very busy café here and he's bought more people to town, and on days he's not open his customers often come down to us," Sarah told Mail Online. A Tamworth Borough Council spokesman said: "The council investigates all relevant complaints received through our official complaints process."
