Created 50 years ago from six proud towns, Wednesbury, Tipton, West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury and Rowley Regis – Sandwell continues to be shaped by its people and places today.
We’re making changes to our towns through regenerations projects, we’re reimagining our historic places and making them fit for today, we’re putting Sandwell on the map – a place to visit, work, live and thrive in.
Six towns proud of their unity, and still beautifully unique
West Bromwich Market
Part of the West Bromwich Masterplan, the new indoor market on the High Street in West Bromwich launched in August 2025, combining traditional market stalls with contemporary facilities and features specialist street food in the new food court.
The project is thanks to £2.61million funding from the Government’s Towns Fund programme, supporting regeneration and investment in towns across the country, and £2.03million funding from Sandwell Council.
After a decade away from the high street, Firkins Bakery returns to where it all began – West Bromwich. Founded in 1870 by Mary Firkin in Carters Green, West Bromwich, the bakery first made its name with award-winning pork pies before growing into one of the largest regional family bakeries in the country. You can meet some of the other traders here.
Ethelfleda Square – Telling Wednesbury’s Story
Wednesbury’s Town Centre has been undergoing improvements since the end of 2023, part of a £50million investment over 10-15 years as part of an ambitious Town Centre Masterplan for the town.
Opening Ethelfleda Square in July 2025, named in honour of Queen Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, who fortified Wednesbury during Anglo-Saxon times, ongoing developments continue to tell the towns’ rich history as part of its Sandwell Story. You can watch the story so far here.
A New Story for Smethwick
Another recipient of up to £20million of Government investment over the next 10 years, through the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, Smethwick is set to transform its story too. The Smethwick Partnership Board is beginning its journey working closely with the community and Sandwell Council to establish its plan.
Tipton Transformation
Another recipient of the Levelling Up Fund is Tipton, which will see the creation of high-quality new homes, enhanced retail premises, and a major upgrade to the town centre’s public realm.
Work began in February 2024, and around £33million is expected as part of the Tipton Levelling Up Fund Plan.
Historic Buildings
Our six towns boast some incredible buildings, many of which have been given a new lease of life thanks to regeneration projects.
The newly refurbished West Bromwich Town Hall and Central Library, broth Grade II listed buildings, are now back open to the community.
Lightwoods House and Park in Bearwood, Smethwick, has been transformed by a £5.3million investment from The National Lottery, the Heritage Fund and offers a breadth of activities and community events in its grounds.
Other projects
The last few years have also seen major projects such as the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick developed as part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Midland Met Hospital in Smethwick and numerous education projects including Shireland CBSO Academy and Central St Michaels Sandwell Science, Engineering & Manufacturing Centre and numerous sports facilities under Sandwell Leisure Trust across the borough too. You can also find many more from across the borough on Regenerating Sandwell.
