Issues and SWOT: Tamworth

strength

A historic building now provides business space

The Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre restoration is complete.

Proposed response: Make workspace availability and costs easy to find.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £925 a month (August 2026) in Tamworth council area. This is £534 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 9.6% in Amington to 22.9% in Castle — a gap of 13.4 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

weakness

Market Street buildings need substantial repair

The approved scheme includes structural and roof repairs before reuse.

Proposed response: Publish the work sequence and arrangements for neighbouring businesses.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

5.7% of people reported bad or very bad health in Tamworth council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4.1% in Trinity to 6.9% in Glascote — a gap of 2.8 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

opportunity

New units could help independent businesses establish themselves

Town Hall Place provides flexible premises designed for smaller businesses.

Proposed response: Publish availability, lease terms and support.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

19% of people in Tamworth council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 15.2% in Stonydelph to 22.9% in Mercian — a gap of 7.7 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Connect local skills to local opportunities

21.9% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Tamworth council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 18% in Wilnecote to 28.2% in Glascote — a gap of 10.2 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Tamworth council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

opportunity

Target support where disadvantages overlap

Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 13.9% in Trinity to 26.2% in Glascote — a gap of 12.4 percentage points.

These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.

threat

Repair requirements can affect cost and timing

The Market Street restoration combines structural, roof and internal work on listed properties.

Proposed response: Keep a visible record of survey findings and budget changes.

Evidence