The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield is braced for a potentially transformative year in 2026, with a series of long-awaited developments and contentious proposals finally reaching critical stages. After years of slow progress on major town centre projects, the coming year could see significant movement on schemes ranging from retail and healthcare to transport and green belt debates.
Retail Revival and Town Centre Transformation
At the heart of the town, the Gracechurch Centre is poised for a notable boost with the scheduled arrival of Australian department store giant, Harvey Norman. The retailer, specialising in electricals, furniture, and homeware, is now expected to open at the former BHS unit in March or April 2026, ahead of its initial June forecast. This marks a tangible change for the shopping centre, which has seen a decline in recent years with the departure of anchors like M&S and Beaverbrooks.
Meanwhile, after years of delay, work is finally underway on the Brassington Avenue site for a new Aldi supermarket. Revised plans addressing flood risks related to the underground Plants Brook culvert were submitted in November 2025, raising hopes that construction will progress substantially in 2026.
The future of the nearly-empty Red Rose Centre remains a pressing question. With the main library closed and key tenants like Hays Travel and Specsavers having departed, the Birmingham City Council-owned site is ripe for redevelopment. Proposals for flats and new retail units have been mooted, but a resolution to the stand-off between the council and Sainsbury's over its former unit lease is still needed.
Healthcare Hub Developments and Community Cash
Significant upgrades to local healthcare facilities are set to reach completion. The £8.5 million revamp of Sutton Cottage Hospital is on track to fully open in April 2026. The transformed site will primarily serve older people, featuring seven GP consulting rooms for the Vesey Practice and a new diagnostics suite offering X-ray and ultrasound services.
Plans have also been formally submitted to convert the former Lichfield Road police station into a new GP-led health facility. The proposal by the Manor-Vesey Health Partnership includes space for scans, healthcare clinics, and an in-house pharmacy, with approval and start of works anticipated in 2026.
Furthermore, the town must decide how to spend its £20 million 'Plan for Neighbourhoods' cash pot, awarded by the previous government. A resident survey was conducted in October 2025, and the community will expect to see firm proposals and the start of funded projects in the coming year.
Contentious Issues and Long-Standing Projects
One of the most divisive local issues is the proposal by the Labour-run Birmingham City Council to introduce parking charges in Sutton Park. A formal consultation on plans for charges of £1 per hour or £5 all-day is underway, justified by the park's £1 million annual maintenance cost. However, the outcome hinges on the May 2026 local elections, with Conservatives pledging to scrap the charges if they gain control.
The scaled-back Sutton Gateway Project also aims to see progress. Originally an HS2-linked transport hub with a new bus station, the revised £25 million scheme now focuses on pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements, including better crossings, a 20mph zone, and a segregated cycleway along Brassington Avenue. A business case is in preparation, with details expected in 2026.
Other sites to watch include:
- The former Rosie’s nightclub site on Lower Parade, where a deadline for starting work on flats and retail has been extended to November 2028.
- Potential development on part of the South Parade car park.
- A Birmingham Road proposal for 75 apartments above 12 retail units, where developers have until March 2026 to begin.
- The ongoing spectre of Green Belt land being offered for housing and industrial use as part of the Birmingham Local Plan process.
While past years have seen predictions fall flat, 2026 presents a confluence of deadlines, allocated funds, and advanced planning applications that suggests Sutton Coldfield's landscape may finally be on the cusp of tangible change.
