Hi: 23° Lo:10° 7 day

Buy photos » Council leader Bill Hartnett wants people to have their say on plans to revamp the bandstand area. Picture by Neville Collins 23012041ncr.
RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on plans to overhaul the bandstand area.
As the Standard reported in January, Redditch Borough Council has set aside £30,000 to fund a series of landscaping improvements to open up the area and help bring it back into use.
Plans include adding cycle stands, a disabled access ramp and removing shrubs, flower beds and the rose arch to free up space for people to stand at events.
The plans were drawn up by officers on the back of last September's successful bandstand festival.
It has also been revealed monthly events will be held at the bandstand between May and September as part of efforts to bring it back into use.
They will include performances by brass bands, community groups and others.
Details of the full programme will be released next month.
Council leader Bill Hartnett stressed the plans did not include any alterations or movement to the bandstand itself or fountain.
"The plan is to make some changes to the landscaping of the bandstand area that will help bring it into regular use, while preserving the beauty of the area, ahead of a series of summer events that will be held there. This is how we think it could be done. If you have a view on the plans we’d like to hear it, and now is the time to let us know."
The plans are available to view by visiting www.redditchbc.gov.uk/towncentre and all the council’s customer service centres until Friday, March 15.
Councillors have approved the plans in principle but any significant suggestions or objections will be fed back to the executive committee for a final decision.
Anyone wanting to comment should email towncentre@redditchbc.gov.uk or write to to Lyndsey Berry, Town Hall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch B98 8AH.
1 Ideas pour in for eyesore revamp
2 Residents angry over cemetery weeds
3 Rape campaign to tackle consent misconceptions
4 Police chase 'suspicious' van
5 Doctors warn over 'incomplete' review
COUNCILLORS have voted against proposals to increase their
POLICE found two 1,000 litre liquid containers and
REDDITCH's HMV store will close within the next
A SCHEME to take on 50 new apprentices

BUILDING work has started on new Bromsgrove retail park which ...
A PRISONER who went on the run after being released ...
A TRADER who caused unnecessary suffering to a rabbit he ...
A CANNABIS farm has been uncovered by police a village ...