A NEW fine art gallery has now opened in Redditch - selling works from both local and international artists. It s called art is ar t the gallery and located in an external unit at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre. The new art gallery will offer a range of original artworks and limited edition prints. Owner Dermot O Connor, from Stourport, says art buyers previously had to travel to Birmingham, Solihull, Stratford or Merry Hill in Dudley to find this kind of gallery experience. The gallery was initially supposed to open in November last year, but plans were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
THE local Conservative group has voiced its aim to make Redditch a “town for the future” ahead of the local elections on May 6. The Redditch Conservatives have outlined their manifesto for the people”, which highlights commitments from regenerating the railway station, to supporting investment at the Alexandra Hospital. The party is committed to revamping the town centre to improve the offering for residents, including a new public square. Plans for regeneration could be made possible by a £25million investment, as part of the government’s town’s fund deal. It could be the largest single investment by central government into Redditch since the creation of the new town.
The Kingfisher has removed its seating as part of measures to support social distancing. Mr Robin Mortiboys, aged 68, who suffers from a spinal injury, questioned what arrangements are being made for disabled shoppers after a trip to the centre last week. Mr Mortiboys says he decided not to use his mobility scooter at the centre and instead used two crutches on his shopping trip. He said: I was quite surprised that they had taken all the seats out. I was in that much pain with my back I just had to sit down. He felt his only option at the time was sitting on the floor. Mr Mortiboys added: Not all disabled people have or need a scooter, but they do need to rest.
KFC has confirmed that two of their restaurants in Redditch have closed their doors for good. Fried chicken fans will no longer be able to get their bargain buckets from the Trafford Retail Park and Kingfisher Shopping Centre branches. This means the KFC located on Clews Road is the only one remaining in Redditch. KFC says that team members at the closed sites have been relocated to other nearby restaurants. A spokesperson from KFC said: “It’s been a great run, but all good things must come to an end, so we’re closing our doors for good at KFC Trafford Retail Park and KFC Kingfisher.